The weather in Morocco can feel a little bit chaotic if you’re traveling from one region to another. There are some big differences between the weather of one region as opposed to the others.
But in general, nothing too extreme happens in Morocco in terms of weather. Moroccan weather is considered Mediterranean weather in the areas closer to the costs, and dry and hot as you get closer to the Sahara Desert.
This article is about the weather in Morocco and the best time to travel to Morocco if you want to experience the most pleasant weather.
The Weather and Climate in Morocco
Generally speaking, Morocco has two main types of climates, the Hot Summer Mediterranean climate, and the Hot Desert Climate.
The weather in Morocco can be a little bit too hot as you go down to the southeast. Morocco gets its cold currents from the Atlantic ocean.
The farther you get away from the coastal regions, the hotter it gets, especially during summer. The heat can be a little bit too much to handle, reaching 120°F (49°C) at times.
When it’s winter, Morocco can feel a bit too cold, especially if you’re not from North America and Northern Europe. If you’re from a cold country, Morocco will seem warm even when it’s winter. The snow usually falls during the coldest winter days for a short time around the mountain areas.
Spring and fall tend to feel a little bit warmer in Morocco compared to many countries.
The Geography And Climate of Morocco
To understand the climate in Morocco, we need to look at it relative to its geography.
- Mediterranean
Mediterranean Climate dominates the coastal Mediterranean regions in the north of Morocco (Tangier, Tetouan, and Al Hocima). Summers tend to be moderately hot in this region, ranging between 29 °C (84.2 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F). As for the winters, they tend to be mild and wet, ranging from 9 °C (48.2 °F) to 11 °C (51.8 °F).
Sub-Mediterranean
The sub-mediterranean climate in Morocco is divided into two categories: Oceanic and Continental.
Oceanic: Determined by its cooler summers, wetness, and relatively stable weather throughout the whole year, oceanic weather is a distinguishable characteristic of Western Morocco. Cities like Essaouira and Agadir are almost always around 21 °C (69.8 °F).
Continental: Determined by a more obvious gap between highs and lows, the regions affected by this climate have hotter summers and colder winters, than their typical Mediterranean counterparts. In summer, heat can reach 40 °C (104.0 °F) when there are heat waves. In the winter, the heat drops below 10 °C (50.0 °F). Cities like Fes and Meknes are the most notable.
Alpine
The region of Ifrane and Azrou is known for its Alpine weather, which is at its best during winter, especially for snow sports fans. There are plenty of ski resorts in this region.
Semi-arid
The semi-arid climate is found in the south of the country where there’s not a lot of rain. The weather is mostly sunny all year round. Marrakech is the best example of this climate.
Desert Climate
The desert climate is known for its extreme heat during the day and extreme cold during the night. Since the atmosphere is too dry, the heat swings between the two extremes every day. If you ever went on a trip to Merzouga, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
The Best Time to Visit Morocco
To put it simply, the best time to visit Morocco is from September to November and from March to June.
The reason why you don’t want to visit Morocco during the heat of the summer is mainly your skin. If you’re too pale, you really don’t want to spend a lot of time under the Moroccan hot sun, unless you’re prepared for it. And during winter, you might encounter rain, which will make your trip less fun.
If you want to experience the weather at its most pleasant manifestation, you’ll have to Plan your journey during the spring or the fall.
However, depending on what you want to visit in Morocco, you might want to schedule your trip during the winter or the summer.
FAQ About the Weather in Morocco
What is the best month to visit Morocco?
The best season to visit Morocco is during the fall (September-November) and the spring (March-May). The weather is usually pleasant, with no extreme fluctuations.
What is the coldest month in Morocco?
January is generally the coldest month in Morocco with an average high temperature of 18°C (65°F) and an average low temperature of 6°C (42°F). Note that this is only Marrakech we’re talking about here, which is the most visited place in Morocco.
Is Morocco hot all year round?
Most of Morocco’s areas experience what experts call the “typical Mediterranean climate”, which is mostly mild/wet winters and hot/dry summers. The rainy season in Morocco extends from November to March, with an average of 1,200 mm in the total annual rainfall. The south is a lot drier and rarely experiences rainfalls.
Does Morocco have 4 seasons?
Morocco actually has four distinct seasons. Many people have a misconception about Morocco being too hot all year long, but it’s not exactly accurate. While Morocco is sunnier and hotter than most western countries in the north, the seasons are still distinct.
Learn more about Morocco from our Morocco Travel Blog.
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