The Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet reported that "Egypt and several Arab countries are currently experiencing unprecedented increases in temperature." It noted in a post on its official Facebook page on Thursday: "The Arab countries affected by the heat dome phenomenon, which are experiencing unprecedented temperature rises, include Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine."
It continued: "Measured temperatures in the shade in these countries may reach 50 degrees Celsius, and this phenomenon may last for a week or even longer." The Egyptian Meteorological Authority explained on its official Facebook page that "the heat dome is a center of high pressure in the upper atmosphere, affecting a specific area and remaining stationary for a week or more." A high-pressure area brings hot weather, a lot of sunshine, and few cloud formations, causing the air to descend, which raises the air temperature during the impact of the heat dome. It is named as such because it traps air inside, preventing it from escaping.
The Egyptian Meteorological Authority stated that Egypt "has been under the influence of a severe heat wave for several days, which is expected to continue until next week," noting that temperatures in Greater Cairo and the Nile Delta have exceeded 40 degrees and surpassed 45 degrees in the southern governorates.
Regarding the weather in the coming days, the Meteorological Authority expects the severe heat wave to continue next week, with temperatures predicted to reach 46 degrees in southern Egypt during the day next Monday.
The Meteorological Authority warned citizens against direct exposure to sunlight, especially during noon, as it increases the sensation of heat, along with high humidity levels that contribute to a perceived temperature increase of about 3 degrees over the actual recorded temperatures.
In light of this unprecedented heat wave this summer, the Ministry of Health and Population made an urgent call to citizens and provided important advice to protect them from "heat exhaustion." The ministry's spokesperson, Dr. Hossam Abdel Ghaffar, stated that the health and population sector is prepared to handle cases of heat exhaustion and sunstroke due to prolonged high temperatures and humidity levels. He explained that Health Minister Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar ordered increased preparedness in all hospitals and the implementation of all necessary measures to receive any cases of sunstroke.
