Aswan, in southern Egypt, boasts a hot desert climate with some of the world’s highest levels of sunshine and minimal rainfall. Summers are extremely hot and dry, while winters are pleasantly mild. The city’s climate is defined by intense sun, very low humidity, and dramatic temperature swings between day and night, making it a unique destination for sun-seekers and history lovers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Aswan experiences a subtropical desert climate, ranking among the hottest, sunniest, and driest places on the planet. The city enjoys over 3,800 hours of sunshine annually, with virtually no rainfall – annual precipitation rarely exceeds 1–2 mm. Winters (November to February) are mild, with daytime highs between 22–26°C and nighttime lows of 8–12°C, offering comfortable conditions for outdoor activities and sightseeing. Summers (May to September) are intensely hot, with average highs of 39–42°C and lows around 25–27°C. Temperatures can occasionally surpass 45°C during heatwaves, and the heat is accentuated by the dry desert air.
Rain is almost nonexistent in Aswan, and snow never occurs. Humidity remains low year-round, often below 25%, which makes the heat more bearable but increases dehydration risk. The city is also known for its strong sunlight, with up to 12–13 hours of daylight in summer and 9–10 hours in winter. Winds are generally moderate, averaging 15–18 km/h, but spring can bring the 'Khamsin', a hot, dry wind that may cause brief sandstorms. The dramatic difference between day and night temperatures is typical for desert climates, so evenings can feel surprisingly cool after hot days.
| Average climate data for Aswan, Egypt | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 23 | 25 | 30 | 35 | 39 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 39 | 36 | 29 | 24 | 41 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 15 | 11 | 9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 39 | 32 | 23 | 18 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 26 | 36 | 42 | 26 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Average UV index | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 10 |
The best time to visit Aswan is from October to April, when daytime temperatures are comfortable, nights are cool, and the risk of extreme heat is low. This period offers ideal conditions for sightseeing, Nile cruises, and outdoor activities, with abundant sunshine and minimal rainfall.
The worst time to visit Aswan is from June to September, when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 40°C and the sun is intense. The extreme heat can make outdoor activities uncomfortable and even hazardous, especially for those unaccustomed to desert climates.
Aswan has a hot desert climate with extremely hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters. Rain is almost nonexistent, and the city enjoys abundant sunshine throughout the year.
Rainfall in Aswan is extremely rare, with annual precipitation typically less than 2 mm. Most years see no measurable rain at all, making Aswan one of the driest cities in the world.
Summer temperatures in Aswan often reach 40–42°C, with occasional peaks above 45°C. The heat is intense and prolonged, especially from June to September, so precautions are essential.
Yes, winter is the best time to visit Aswan. Daytime temperatures are mild (20–26°C), nights are cool, and the weather is perfect for sightseeing, Nile cruises, and outdoor exploration.
Sandstorms, known as 'Khamsin', can occur in spring (mainly April), bringing hot, dusty winds. These storms are usually brief but may temporarily disrupt travel plans.
Bring lightweight, breathable clothing for daytime, a hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sun cream. For evenings, pack a light jacket or jumper. Always carry water and consider a scarf for protection against dust and sun.
No, Aswan is characterised by very low humidity, often below 25%. The dry air makes the heat more tolerable but increases the risk of dehydration, so drink plenty of water.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is June (41.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (22.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 33.6 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (26 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (8.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 18.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (0.7 mm). The driest months, with the least amount of precipitation, are January, February, March, April, June, July, September, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (0.6 days). The months with the fewest days of rain are April, June, September, November and December (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (42 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (16.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 25.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 13.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 10.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are April, May, June, July and August (UV index: 12). The month with the lowest average UV index is December (UV index: 5). Over the whole year the average UV index is 9.7.
