What is the temperature range of the Sahara Desert?

The temperature range in the Sahara Desert from day to night can differ as much as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The average annual temperature is 86 F. During the hottest months, temperatures range from 100 F to over 120 F. Overnight freezing temperatures are common during the winter.

The Sahara Desert's extreme dryness is one of its most defining characteristics. The extreme levels of dryness in areas throughout the Sahara Desert are mainly caused by the northeast trade winds, which absorb all of the available moisture in the area. Additionally, the Sahara Desert has an average annual rainfall of less than 5 inches.