Step into Luxor in the fall, and you’ll feel the desert heat finally letting up. Average high temperatures drop from the sweltering summer levels to a much more comfortable range—between 103°F (39°C) and 79°F (26°C). Nights cool down too, from 77°F (25°C) to 52°F (11°C). This change makes fall one of the best times to explore the city’s open-air temples and riverfront landscapes.
The sky changes as well. Early in the season, you’ll see mostly clear blue, but by late fall, clouds show up a bit more, though rain almost never happens. Daylight fades faster, with sunsets sneaking up earlier each week, so evenings get cooler and nights stretch longer under Luxor’s desert sky.
These shifts affect everything from your daily plans to how much water or shade you’ll want. Knowing about the warm days, cooler nights, and changing daylight helps you prepare for comfort and adventure in one of Egypt’s most striking destinations.
Overview of Fall Climate in Luxor
In fall, Luxor’s temperatures steadily drop from the extreme heat of summer. Skies get a bit cloudier, and daylight hours shrink quickly. The region’s desert setting, dry air, and flat ground all shape these seasonal patterns.
Subtropical Desert Characteristics
Luxor sits in a subtropical desert climate (BWh), so hot, dry weather rules most of the year. In fall, daily high temperatures cool from about 39°C (103°F) in early September to 26°C (79°F) by late November. Nights can get pretty chilly, sometimes close to 11°C (52°F).
Rain almost never falls here. You’ll see almost no measurable precipitation, and humidity stays very low, usually below 20%. The air feels dry even when the sun is still hot.
Clouds show up a little more in fall. Early September brings clear skies almost every day, but by late November, you might spot more haze or some partly cloudy days.
Average Fall Temperatures
Fall in Luxor brings a steady cooling trend after the intense summer heat. Days stay warm or even hot, but nights cool off, making the gap between highs and lows much bigger.
Typical Highs and Lows by Month
In September, you’ll get average highs near 103°F (39°C) and lows around 76°F (24°C). It’s still hot, but not as brutal as summer.
By October, daytime highs usually fall to about 91°F (33°C), and nighttime lows drop to about 64°F (18°C). That makes evenings way more pleasant for being outside.
In November, it cools down more. Highs average near 79°F (26°C), and lows reach about 52°F (11°C). Nights can feel almost cold, especially compared to September’s leftover heat.
| Month | Avg High °F (°C) | Avg Low °F (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 103 (39) | 76 (24) |
| October | 91 (33) | 64 (18) |
| November | 79 (26) | 52 (11) |
Daytime Versus Nighttime Temperatures
You’ll notice a big difference between day and night in Luxor during fall. The desert lets heat escape fast after sunset.
Daytime hours stay warm enough for short sleeves, even in November. But once the sun goes down, temperatures often drop by 20–30°F (10–15°C) in just a few hours.
This swing means you might want light clothes for the day but a sweater or jacket at night. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re planning outdoor tours or evening temple visits along the Nile.
The dry air makes nights feel cooler than the numbers suggest, especially if you’re out in the open desert.
Temperature Trends from September to November
Fall shows a steady decrease in both highs and lows. From early September to late November, average highs fall by about 24°F (13°C), and lows drop by a similar amount.
The hottest days come at the start of September, when afternoons can still hit 105°F (40°C) or more. By late November, afternoons feel mild, and evenings can turn chilly.
This cooling makes fall one of the most comfortable seasons in Luxor. You can explore historic sites by day without summer’s punishing heat, and the cooler nights make for better sleep.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Luxor’s dry desert climate means lots of sunshine and mostly clear skies. In fall, daylight hours shrink, and sunrise and sunset times move up as the season goes on.
Average Daily Sunshine Duration
You’ll get plenty of sunshine in Luxor during fall. Even as days get shorter, the place stays bright because clouds are rare.
Luxor averages 9 to 11 hours of sunshine per day in fall. September’s the sunniest month, while November drops a bit, but still beats most other places.
The sunlight’s intensity drops as the sun sits lower, but skies stay mostly clear. Fall days are bright, just not as harsh as summer.
| Month | Avg. Sunshine Hours/Day | Sky Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| September | 11 hours | Mostly clear |
| October | 10 hours | Clear to mild haze |
| November | 9 hours | Clear to partly cloudy |
Changes in Day Length During Fall
Daylight hours drop quickly in Luxor during fall. At the start of September, you get about 12 hours and 40 minutes of daylight. By late November, that’s down to 10 hours and 40 minutes.
That’s a loss of almost 2 hours over the season. Each week, you lose about 9 minutes of daylight.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, you’ll notice this shift. Early fall gives you longer days for sightseeing, but late fall means you’ll have shorter afternoons before sunset. Still, there’s enough daylight for most tours and excursions.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset come earlier as fall moves along. In early September, the sun rises around 5:57 AM and sets near 7:08 PM. By late November, sunrise shifts to about 6:30 AM and sunset hits as early as 4:58 PM.
This change might affect your plans for mornings and evenings. Want to catch sunrise at a temple or on a Nile cruise? You’ll need to adjust the timing depending on the month.
Most sunrises and sunsets happen under clear skies, so you get great visibility. Fall’s softer light also makes it a nice season for photography—no more harsh summer glare.
Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions
In Luxor during fall, skies mostly stay clear, but clouds start to show up a bit more as the weeks go by. Early on, you’ll get bright, sunny days, but by late November, you might notice a few more cloudy stretches.
Clear Versus Cloudy Days
Most of the fall, clear skies rule. In early September, you’ve got about a 95–97% chance of a clear or mostly clear day, so sunshine is pretty much guaranteed.
Cloudy days are rare, but they do pop up more often toward the end of the season. By late November, you might see overcast or mostly cloudy skies about one-quarter of the time. Still, you’ll get more sun than clouds on most days.
This makes Luxor one of the sunniest fall spots you can find. The desert climate keeps rain clouds away, and even when you see more clouds, they rarely bring rain.
If you love sightseeing outdoors, you’ll find that the weather favors long stretches of blue sky, especially earlier in fall. Occasional clouds late in the season might soften the sunlight, but they won’t usually get in the way.
Trends in Cloudiness Through the Season
As fall goes on, cloud cover rises slowly. Early September skies are at their clearest, with only about 3–5% of days showing much cloud.
By mid-October, you might notice a change. The percentage of overcast or mostly cloudy skies creeps into the teens. It’s still not much, but you can tell the season is shifting toward winter.
Late November brings the most cloud cover, peaking around 24–25%. That’s still low compared to a lot of places, but it’s a real difference from September’s almost perfect skies.
More clouds show up as daylight hours shrink. With the lower sun and more frequent clouds, late-autumn skies can look softer and less intense.
If you’re planning a trip, expect September to have the clearest skies, while November brings a bit more cloudiness.
Precipitation and Humidity
Luxor’s desert climate means rain almost never happens, and humidity stays low most of the year. In fall, you’ll find very dry air and almost no rain, which keeps the weather steady but can feel harsh.
Rainfall Frequency and Amounts
Rain is nearly unheard of in Luxor, and fall is no different. Records show the city averages less than 4 mm of rain annually, with most years seeing no measurable rain at all.
From September through November, rain chances stay close to zero. Even in January, the so-called “wettest” month, totals average less than 1 mm. You won’t need rain gear or umbrellas if you’re here in the fall.
The climate falls under the hot desert (BWh) category in the Köppen system. Unlike places with wet seasons, Luxor just doesn’t get seasonal rain. You can count on clear skies and dry ground while you’re here.
For a bit of context, Luxor’s yearly rainfall (about 3–4 mm) is nothing compared to Barcelona’s 600 mm. The Nile Valley is seriously dry.
Humidity Levels and Comfort
Humidity stays low in Luxor most of the year, including fall. Average relative humidity runs between 25% and 40%, way drier than coastal or tropical spots.
In September, nights can feel a touch more humid, but daytime values drop fast as the heat rises. By November, cooler temps make the dry air more comfortable, even if the humidity number doesn’t climb much.
Low humidity means you won’t get that sticky feeling you’d find in muggy places. But it can dry out your skin and make you dehydrated if you’re not careful. Bring water and maybe some moisturizer to stay comfy.
The dry air also lets things cool off fast after sunset. Evenings feel especially nice in October and November, when daytime highs settle in the low 80s °F (upper 20s °C).
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
In fall, you’ll feel steady winds and stable air pressure shaping how comfortable it is outside. Skies stay mostly clear, but sometimes haze or dust can cut visibility a bit.
Typical Wind Speeds and Directions
Winds in Luxor during fall usually blow light to moderate. You’ll get average speeds of about 6–10 mph (10–16 km/h), just enough to make the lingering heat feel a bit less intense. Strong gusts rarely show up in this season.
Most winds come from the northwest and west, making up more than half of what you’ll notice. These winds bring in dry air from the desert, which keeps humidity low. Sometimes you’ll get breezes from the southeast or northeast, but that’s pretty uncommon.
You might feel the occasional dusty wind, especially in open areas. Luckily, these are usually short-lived and nothing like the big spring sandstorms. For most visitors, the wind is more of a relief than a problem.
Air Pressure and Visibility
In Luxor during fall, air pressure stays pretty steady. Average readings sit around 1014–1017 mb, and you’ll only notice small changes here and there.
This stable pressure usually keeps the weather calm, so you almost never get surprised by storms or sudden shifts.
Visibility tends to be excellent, often stretching beyond 10 kilometers on those clear days. The dry climate and lack of much rain help keep the skies open and bright.
Still, dust sometimes hangs in the air, especially when the wind picks up in the afternoons. That can make things look a bit hazy, but it’s rarely a big deal.
If you want the sharpest views of the Nile Valley and those desert hills, try heading out in the morning. The haze might creep in a bit by late afternoon, but it almost never ruins sightseeing or outdoor plans.
Clear skies and steady pressure really set the scene for both everyday life and tourism here.
Practical Implications for Visitors
During fall, Luxor’s temperatures drop from scorching in September to something much more manageable by November.
Since rain is almost nonexistent and the air stays dry, you’ll mostly need to think about heat and sun, not surprise storms.
Best Activities for Fall Weather
Early fall can still pack some serious heat, with highs brushing 40°C (over 100°F) in September. If you’re planning to sightsee, mornings or late afternoons are your best bet.
By November, highs settle closer to 26°C (79°F), so it’s a lot easier to be outside for longer stretches.
This time of year really works for exploring temples, tombs, or museums. Humidity barely registers and skies are usually wide open.
Big-name sites like Karnak and the Valley of the Kings feel much more comfortable when the sun isn’t right overhead.
A Nile cruise? That’s a great choice in autumn. Evenings cool off to about 10–15°C (50s °F), so you can actually enjoy the deck without that oppressive summer heat.
Desert tours and balloon rides also become safer and, honestly, a lot more fun in these milder conditions.
Packing Tips for Luxor in Autumn
Get ready for wide temperature swings between day and night. During hot afternoons, you’ll want to wear light, breathable clothing, but don’t forget to toss in a warm layer for those evenings—temperatures sometimes drop by more than 20°C (36°F).
You really can’t skip a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen, since the sun still packs a punch in September and October. If you plan to walk around archaeological sites, closed shoes will make life easier, though sandals feel great for casual strolls.
You probably won’t see any rain, so there’s no need to pack heavy rain gear. Instead, focus on lightweight fabrics and maybe a scarf or shawl to block the sun.
A refillable water bottle is a must for staying hydrated in the dry desert air.