Weather in Hurghada in May

How May compares

May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Hurghada and ranks 11th of 134 destinations we compare for May - see where else is hot in May. Within Egypt it is 4th of 4 (Egypt in May). Against London's average high of 16.6°C in May, Hurghada is 14.0°C warmer by day and 14.7°C warmer at night.

Daytime and night-time in May

The typical May day in Hurghada peaks at 30.6°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 33.3°C or more. About 100% of days top 25°C and 1 in 2 pass 30°C. Nights average 23.0°C; one night in ten drops to 20.1°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest May day here reached 37.2°C (2019-05-23) and the coldest night 17.9°C (1995-05-08).

Rain in May

Dry (3 rainy days or fewer): about 0 days with 1 mm or more, 0 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest May was 1995 with 3 mm, the driest 1991 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 40%.

Sea temperature in May

The sea averages 24.5°C - warm enough to swim (22°c+). Depending on the year it ranges from 24.0°C to 25.3°C. For the warmest sea here, come in August (28.4°C).

Sunshine and daylight

Around 11.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.3 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 04:56 and sets about 18:26 local time in mid-May. Average cloud cover is 16%.

Is May a good time to visit Hurghada?

Yes - it is one of the better months: hot days, little rain and long sunny days. The best months for Hurghada on our scoring are April, May, October; months averaging 25°C or more: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov.

Expect proper heat, not just warm afternoons

Hurghada's average May daytime high is 14°C above London's, so pack for a substantial change in temperature. Days reach 30°C on 62% of occasions, while the hottest regularly climb to 33.3°C or more. Plan anything active for the morning or later in the day, leaving room for shade around midday. Humidity averages 40%, but that does not make prolonged sunshine comfortable. Loose, breathable clothing, a hat and sun protection are sensible essentials. With average night lows of 23°C, evenings usually call for light clothes rather than heavy layers, though a light extra layer gives you flexibility on a cooler night.

Good swimming weather with little rain to plan around

The sea is a strong reason to choose May: at an average of 24.5°C, it falls comfortably in the swimming range rather than the bracing category. The year-to-year range of 24°C to 25°C also makes sea warmth a fairly dependable part of the decision. Sunshine averages 11.2 hours within 13.3 hours of daylight, leaving plenty of time to swim without making the hottest part of the day your focus. Rainy days average about 0, so wet-weather disruption is unlikely, although that is not a guarantee for your stay. May is among Hurghada's best-rated months, with the main trade-off being heat rather than rain.