Instead, mean maxima and mean minima
should be considered. In the south, the annual amplitude of the temperatures
is greater and the climate more continental. In winter the nights are colder in
the south than in the north. On Sinai, where the mountains rise to a height
of 2,637 m, the temperatures are much lower and the rainfall is higher than
in other parts of the country of the same latitude. Snowfall can occur there,
and frost in winter is normal.
Annual amounts of rainfall decrease rapidly from north to south (Alexan-
dria: 193 mm; Cairo: 24 mm; Aswan: 3 mm). However, variability is great and
increases with growing aridity. In Egypt rainfall as a rule occurs between Oct-
ober and April, December being the wettest month. Along the Mediterranean
coast snowfall can occur but is a rare event, while hail is quite frequent.