Why does Alexandria receive more rain than Cairo and Aswan?

Alexandria receives significantly more precipitation than Cairo and Aswan primarily due to its location on the Mediterranean coast. While Egypt is largely situated within the North African desert belt, the prevailing north winds blowing across the Mediterranean Sea provide Alexandria with a distinct climate compared to the arid desert hinterland.12

During the winter months, Alexandria experiences a series of storms that bring rainfall and occasionally hail. In contrast, precipitation in Egypt diminishes sharply as one moves southward from the coast. Cairo, located further inland, receives only about 1 inch (25 mm) of rain annually, while Aswan, situated deep in the south, receives virtually no measurable precipitation.21

The Mediterranean climate is confined to these coastal zones, which are characterized by mild, wet winters. Because the moisture-bearing winds from the Mediterranean lose their influence as they travel inland toward the desert, the annual average rainfall drops from approximately 7 inches (175 mm) in Alexandria to negligible amounts in the southern regions of the country.31