A recent stint of relatively stable weather in Egypt will not last long as forecasters on Wednesday predicted yet another stretch of bitter cold across the country.

A spell of unsettled conditions will engulf the country reaching well into Saturday, with rainy and cold temperatures dipping to a high of 10 Celsius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital, meteorologists said.

The frigid plunge will result in a "complete turbulence in navigation" in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea,  Wahid Saudi, spokesperson for the Egyptian Meteorological Authority (EMA), told Ahram Online.

Temperatures are forecast to hit a low of 5 C (41 F) in Cairo on Thursday, 8 C (46 F) in the north coast and 5 in the southern flank of the country.

The wintry conditions, predicted to peak on Friday, will bring moderate rainfall to the capital Cairo as well as the nation's northern and southern tiers.  Heavy rains or thunder-showers are likely eastward in centre and North Sinai. 

Central Egypt and southern provinces are likely to see largely warmer days through the weekend, with highs of 12 C (45 F) and 19 C (66 F) respectively, Saudi said.

Weather is likely to see a gradual break as off Saturday.