Thinking about a trip to Giza for the holidays? It’s a great way to escape the cold that grips so many other places. Around Christmas, you’ll usually get mild days near 22°C (72°F) and evenings that cool down to about 11°C (52°F), with almost zero rainfall. That mix of warmth and dryness makes it easy to wander by the pyramids, stroll the Nile, or check out outdoor markets without piling on layers.
You won’t find snow or wild winter storms here. December brings lots of sun, gentle breezes, and low humidity. These steady, pleasant conditions really help you enjoy Giza, whether you’re after ancient history or just a laid-back holiday vibe.
Clear skies and long daylight hours make the weather both predictable and fun. You get to focus on exploring Egypt, not worrying about the forecast.
Overview of Giza’s Climate in December
In December, Giza gets mild daytime warmth, cooler nights, and barely any rain. The sun sticks around, and winds stay light, so you can spend plenty of time outdoors.
General Climate Characteristics
December feels cool for Egypt, but honestly, it’s still pretty pleasant compared to most winter spots. Daytime highs usually hit 21–22°C (70–72°F), and at night, it drops to about 11–12°C (52–54°F).
Rain barely shows up, with only about 2–3 days of light showers for the whole month. Records show precipitation averages less than 3 mm, so dry weather is the norm.
Humidity sits around 55–65%—comfortable, not sticky. You’ll still get about 6–7 hours of sun per day. This combo of warmth, dryness, and light makes December a favorite for travelers.
Winter Season in Giza
Winter here doesn’t really get cold by global standards. Instead, you’ll get cool evenings and mild days. After sunset, a light sweater or jacket helps, but you can wear light clothes during the day.
Winds usually stay gentle, around 3 m/s. They’ll flutter flags but won’t mess up your plans. With clear skies, the afternoon sun can still feel strong, so don’t forget sun protection, even in winter.
Unlike summer, when heat can slow you down, December lets you explore sites like the Pyramids and Sphinx all day long. That’s a big plus if you want to avoid extreme heat.
Comparison to Other Months
December is way cooler and more comfortable than summer. July often gets above 35°C (95°F), while December hangs around the low 20s Celsius. No wonder so many people pick winter for their trip.
Compared to November or January, December lands right in the middle. November feels a bit warmer, and January’s nights can get a touch colder. Rain stays low across all three months, so it’s mainly about temperature and daylight.
Sunshine hours in December are a bit fewer than spring or summer, but you still get enough daylight for sightseeing. The moderate temps, low rain, and clear skies make December one of Giza’s most balanced months.
Typical Temperature Around Christmas
In late December, Giza gives you mild days and cooler nights. The air stays dry, and you’ll notice a bigger gap between highs and lows than you might expect elsewhere.
Daytime and Nighttime Averages
During Christmas, daytime temps hit 20–23°C (68–73°F). That’s perfect for walking tours, seeing the pyramids, or just being outside without bundling up.
At night, you’ll see temps fall to 8–12°C (46–54°F). It’s not freezing, but after a warm afternoon, the drop can feel pretty sharp. Bring a jacket or sweater for evenings, especially since the desert air cools off fast after sunset.
Year after year, Giza’s December averages stay pretty steady. That makes packing and planning a lot easier.
Temperature Fluctuations
The swing between day and night can feel dramatic. It’s common to see a 10–12°C (18–22°F) difference in 24 hours. That’s just how the desert works—clear skies let heat escape quickly after dark.
In the afternoon, you might feel fine in a t-shirt, but by evening, you’ll want extra layers. If you’re heading out late, definitely bring something warm.
Compared to summer, when highs can blast past 40°C (104°F), December feels mild. The contrast between warm afternoons and crisp nights is a big part of Giza’s Christmas weather.
Coldest and Warmest Days
On the coldest December nights, temps can dip to about 7°C (45°F). It’s not extreme, but it might surprise you if you expect Egypt to always be hot.
Sometimes, afternoon highs reach 27–29°C (81–84°F). Those days feel great—not too hot—making them ideal for sightseeing.
The pattern of mild highs and cool lows shows up in the records year after year. You almost never see temps below 5°C (41°F) or above 30°C (86°F) in December, so Christmas is usually comfortable and predictable for visitors.
Rain and Precipitation Patterns
Giza barely gets any rain all year, and winter keeps that trend going. December usually stays dry, with just a little rain showing up in the data.
Chance of Rain During Christmas
Your odds of rain around Christmas in Giza are tiny. The city sits in a desert climate, and December only sees a small bump in rain compared to summer.
Rain events rarely happen, and when they do, they’re short and light. Unlike lots of places where Christmas means wet weather, Giza mostly stays dry and sunny.
Records show December rain only pops up on a handful of days. You can expect clear skies for most of your trip, so outdoor sightseeing is a safe bet.
Average Rainfall Amounts
December rainfall in Giza averages just a few millimeters for the whole month. The annual total is about 24 mm, with February usually the wettest and June the driest.
In December, you’ll see closer to 3–5 mm—practically nothing compared to most cities. For context, Chicago or Buenos Aires get over 1,000 mm a year, so Giza is seriously dry.
Even if rain shows up, it’s usually just a light shower. You probably won’t need rain gear, though a light jacket is handy for cooler evenings.
Rainy Days Frequency
Rainy days in December are rare. You might get 1 day or fewer with measurable rain. Some years, there’s no rain at all during the holidays.
If it does rain, it’s quick and isolated—often over in less than an hour. Unlike wetter places, you don’t need to plan your day around possible rain.
This kind of consistency makes it easier to plan outdoor adventures. You can count on almost your whole Christmas trip being dry and stable.
Snowfall and Rare Weather Events
Giza’s dry desert climate means snow just isn’t part of the winter routine. Rare weather does happen, though, and these odd moments get people talking.
Likelihood of Snow
Don’t expect snow in Giza at Christmas or really any time. December temps range from about 12°C (53°F) at night to 21°C (70°F) during the day—way too warm for snow. Rain is also scarce, with less than 1 mm on average for the month.
Low humidity and clear skies make snow formation unlikely. Even if a cold snap blows in from the Mediterranean, it usually just brings a quick chill or a light rain shower.
Snow is so rare here, it’s basically an anomaly. So, you can plan for mild winter weather and leave the snow boots at home.
Historical Snow Records
Still, a few snow events have happened. The most famous was in December 2013, when Cairo and nearby Giza got a rare snowstorm. A thin layer of snow briefly covered the streets and even the Pyramids—those photos went everywhere.
Older records mention light snow in 1950 and again in 2008 in parts of Egypt, including Sinai. These didn’t last or really accumulate.
These rare moments remind us that weather can surprise you, but the chance of snow in Giza is so tiny, you can basically ignore it for holiday plans.
Humidity, Dew Point, and Comfort Levels
December in Giza brings cooler air and a bit more moisture than summer, but it still feels pretty comfortable. You’ll notice mild humidity and dew points that keep things pleasant—not sticky like some coastal places.
Average Humidity in December
Humidity in December usually stays between 55% and 60%, based on past weather. That’s higher than the bone-dry summer, but still moderate.
The air doesn’t feel heavy or clammy, even outside. At night, when it’s around 10–12°C (50–54°F), the humidity won’t make you feel colder.
Daytimes are sunny and dry, which balances out the humidity. Since rain is rare, the air stays clear, making it easy to enjoy things like the pyramids or a Nile walk.
Overall, December’s humidity gives you a comfortable balance—not too dry, not too moist. It’s a great time to explore.
Dew Point Trends
The dew point in December usually falls between 5°C and 10°C (41–50°F). That means the air is cool, but not damp, so you almost never get fog or muggy mornings.
At night, the dew point drops to the lower end, which can feel a bit chilly if you’re out early. During the day, it goes up a little, but not enough to feel sticky.
From a comfort perspective, these dew points mean crisp evenings and mornings with dry, clear air. If you’re sensitive to humidity, December in Giza is especially nice—the dew point rarely gets high enough to be uncomfortable.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
In late December, the air in Giza stays mostly dry and stable. Winds usually stay light to moderate, following seasonal patterns shaped by the desert and the Mediterranean.
Average Wind Speeds
Historical weather data shows that wind speeds in Giza usually hover around 3 to 4 meters per second (7–9 mph) during winter. That range feels gentle to moderate, so breezes are noticeable, but they won’t really disrupt your plans.
December tends to bring calmer conditions than spring. In spring, stronger gusts show up more often, thanks to those desert winds.
You’ll probably feel a steady breeze during the day. Nights calm down as temperatures drop.
Wind almost never gets strong enough to mess with outdoor activities. Travelers can visit open-air sites like the Giza Plateau without stressing about sand or dust swirling around.
If you’re sensitive to chilly air, keep in mind that even a light wind can make the evenings feel colder than the thermometer says. Just bring a light jacket or scarf, and you’ll be fine.
Prevailing Wind Direction
Long-term climate data points out that north and northwest winds dominate in Giza during winter. Most of December’s wind comes from these directions, usually carrying cooler, drier air from the Mediterranean.
Southern or eastern winds don’t show up often in December. When they do, they’re usually weak and don’t last long.
This wind pattern helps keep the air clear and leads to Giza’s low humidity in winter. You’ll often get crisp, dry days with great visibility across the desert.
Winds stay steady but not strong, so dust storms almost never happen in December. That makes late December one of the more comfortable times for exploring outdoors in Giza.
Sunshine, Daylight, and Cloud Cover
In late December, Giza gets shorter days than in summer. Skies are usually clearer than in lots of other places.
You can expect mild winter sun with not much cloud cover, so outdoor activities feel pretty comfortable.
Hours of Sunlight
Around Christmas, Giza gets about 10.3 hours of daylight each day. It’s the shortest stretch of the year, but it’s still enough for exploring.
Sunrise is usually near 6:45 a.m., and sunset happens around 5:00 p.m.
On average, December brings 6 to 7 hours of direct sunshine daily. That’s less than July’s 12 hours, but it’s still plenty for sightseeing.
The sun sits lower in the sky during winter, so the light feels softer and not as harsh. UV levels land in the moderate range, but if you’ll be outside for a while, sunscreen is still a good idea.
| Month | Avg. Daylight Hours | Avg. Sunshine Hours |
|---|---|---|
| July | 13.8 | 12.1 |
| December | 10.3 | 6.6 |
Cloudiness and Sky Conditions
If you look at historical weather data, you’ll see that December skies in Giza are mostly clear. There’s hardly any cloud cover, and rain almost never shows up, with total monthly precipitation usually just 3–5 mm.
You probably won’t run into overcast or stormy weather. The dry desert climate keeps humidity pretty moderate, usually hovering between 50–60%. That helps keep the skies crisp and bright.
Visibility tends to stay good. Sometimes, a bit of haze rolls in from dust in the air, but it’s not a daily thing.
Cloudy days do pop up now and then, but they’re rare. Even when clouds appear, the sun often sneaks through for a few hours.
So, if you’re snapping holiday photos, you’ll probably get a blue sky in the background instead of gray.
Travelers can plan outdoor trips to the pyramids, local markets, or the Nile with confidence. The weather in December usually stays steady, and sudden changes are pretty unlikely.