Weather

With one of the harshest deserts in the world meeting the mild Mediterranean air, the majority of Libya has a changeable climate. Summer is generally very hot, with average temperatures on the coast reaching around 30°C (86°F) and often accompanied by high humidity. In the south, temperatures can reach a sweltering 50°C (122°F) or even higher.

Around 2500 years ago, the historian Herodotus claimed that “in the upper parts of Libya, it is always summer.” Yet in winter the weather can be cool and rainy on the coast, and there may be snow, especially in the mountain regions. Desert temperatures can easily drop to sub-freezing at night, but in the course of a year, Libya's desert regions receive less than 100mm or 4 inches of rain.

During the spring in northern Libya, you may encounter the ghibli; a hot, dry, sand-laden wind which can raise the temperature in a matter of hours to an uncomfortable 50°C (122°F). The ghibli can last from just a few hours to several days.

Click here for an updated weather forecast.