godin

Hi

I am planning a trip in Egypt from May 1 to May 18th 2009. I have been told that maybe it would be best to go later in May due to sandstorms? What are the chances to have sandstorm in May does anyone know?
thanks
godin

Grcxx3

From my experience - most of the sandstorms are over by mid-May, BUT....it's like any other weather - you just can't predict. I got stuck in a bad one in early May one year. There were years with many, many storms passing thru Cairo and years with almost no storms.

I have to admit....getting caught in a sandstorm on the road from Sharm up north toward Suez was WEIRD!!!!! Like a thunderstorm - but with gritty sand!!

My advice is to plan your trip around your best schedule, NOT when you think there may or may not be sandstorms. Like rainstorms here - they are inconvenient, but they blow through.

sunshine007

It can be pretty darned hot in the end of May -- by any standards except maybe Saudi Arabia-- in upper Egypt which is where Aswan * LUxor & Abu Simbel are.

sunshine007

So I"d opt for the possibility of a sandstorm vs. the absolutely cetainty of hot, hot, hot weather.

sandi

Hot, Hot, Hot! Would be more my concern than sand storm, which are mostly gone come May. And, later in may even hotter!

giblum

Hi Godin, My husband and I just booked an Egypt trip from May 2-16. What company are you going with? We are used to the heat, living in South Florida, but hope it will not be too brutal.

Casual_Cairo

If you are from Florida you probably won't notice much difference at all. In Cairo, we are on almost the same latitude as you are.

sunshine007

Early May is in the low to mid-90's usually and there's no humidity, so you should be OK.

I think it all depends on air conditioning. I take the b/w taxis which have no a/c for short trips & use drivers with private cars for trips into Cairon when it gets over about 98.

I was in the Pompano Beach area and all we did was go from air conditioned building to air conditioned car to air conditioned house so we really weren't out in the hot sticky weather that long.

You know the drill, bring sunscreen, a hat, loose clothing & lots of water to drink. Don't worry about looking like a tourist b/c you will stand out like a sore thumb no matter what you look like & where you go. Comfort is more important than fashion.