Morocco's Weather and Average Temperatures

Morocco's Weather and Average Temperatures
What's the weather like in Morocco?

It's hot and sunny for most of the year in Morocco. During the peak summer months it gets uncomfortably hot especially in Marrakech, Fes and southwest Morocco, towards the desert. Casablanca, Rabat and Essaouira are a bit more comfortable in the peak of summer because they benefit from a cooler ocean breeze.
Winters (November to February) are generally mild although temperatures at night can get down to the 40's Fahrenheit (10 C). A dusting of snow is not unusual in Northern Morocco and of course the Atlas Mountains get a lot of snow. You can even ski in Oukaimeden just outside of Marrakech. Winters in the north of the country and along the coast can be quite wet. Winters in the south are drier but colder, especially at night.
Scroll down to see what temperatures you can expect in Rabat (which are basically the same as in Casablanca) and Marrakech. There's more climate information for those planning trips to the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains at the bottom of the page.

Today's Weather in Rabat

Rabat is not only hot during the summer but also humid. This can make it quite uncomfortable from July through September. Light, loose cotton clothing is highly recommended as well as copious amounts of sunscreen and bottled water.

Rabat's Climate

Month	Precipitation		Maximum		Minimum		Average Sunlight
	in	cm	F	C	F	C	Hours
January	2.6	6.6	62	17	46	8	5
February	2.5	6.4	64	18	46	8	7
March	2.6	6.6	68	20	48	9	7
April	1.7	4.3	71	22	52	11	9
May	1.1	2.8	73	23	55	13	9
June	0.3	0.8	79	26	61	16	10
July	0	0	82	28	63	17	11
August	0	0	82	28	64	18	10
September	0.4	1.0	80	27	63	17	9
October	1.9	4.8	77	25	57	14	8
November	3.3	8.4	70	21	53	12	6
December	3.4	8.6	64	18	48	9	5

Marrakech is hot during the summer and cool in the winter. If you do plan to visit in the summer, take a break from the heat and travel to the nearby Atlas Mountains or to Essaouira along the coast. The best time to visit Marrakech is in the spring and autumn with abundant sunshine during the day and cooler nights to enjoy those roof top restaurants overlooking the Djemma el-Fna.

Today's Weather in Marrakech

Marrakech's Climate

Month	Precipitation		Maximum		Minimum		Average Sunlight
	in	cm	F	C	F	C	Hours
January	1.0	2.5	64	18	39	4	7
February	1.1	2.8	68	20	43	6	7
March	1.3	3.3	73	23	48	9	8
April	1.2	3.1	79	26	52	11	9
May	0.6	1.5	84	29	57	14	9
June	0.3	0.8	91	33	63	17	11
July	0.1	0.3	100	38	66	19	11
August	0.1	0.3	100	38	57	14	11
September	0.4	1.0	91	33	63	17	10
October	0.9	2.3	82	28	57	14	8
November	1.2	3.1	73	23	48	9	7
December	1.2	3.1	66	19	43	6	7

The Atlas Mountains
The weather is unpredictable in the Atlas Mountains and obviously it depends on what elevation you're planning to get to. The High Atlas Mountains have a typical mountain climate with very cold winters (November to March) and cool but sunny summers. The Middle Atlas Mountains get a lot of rainfall, especially from November to February. Summer temperatures average around 72-78 Fahrenheit (25 C) and winter temperatures can get as low as -4 Fahrenheit (-20 C).

Western Sahara
If you're planning a trip to the Sahara Desert it's best to hop on a camel during the fall or early spring. Temperatures average around 115 Fahrenheit (45 C) during the summer and it's obviously dry as a bone. Nights in the desert do get much colder however and you'll need a good jacket even if you're sweltering during the day. During March and April you have a good chance of dealing with sandstorms as the Sirocco whips up.

The Atlantic Coast
If you look at the temperatures for Rabat at the top of the page, this is basically what you can expect at Morocco's beaches. The weather is perfect in the summer, cooler than the interior and warm enough to heat up the ocean to make swimming quite pleasant.

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plan to visit Morocco

I wish that I had a copy of this book five years ago! My wife is from Morocco, I've traveled there several times and stayed with her traditional Moroccan family - and lived elsewhere in the Middle East a total of four years. This book really could have made me worry less about committing cultural blunders had I had it sooner. Unlike many "insider" guides, this book's author really knows what he's talking about. His insights, observations and advice are keen and accurate - unlike so many other books that deal with the often misunderstood cultures of the Arab/Muslim World and are so often plagued with ignorance and stereotypes. I would highly recommended this book to anyone traveling to Morocco who is going to be dealing with Moroccans on a personal or business basis. The book covers everything from the religious views and mentality of the people to their sexual attitudes and about everything else in between - including just general good manners. I especially like the "test" section where the author describes a difficult situation that one may be caught in (such as your host continually demanding that you eat more) and then gives three or four multiple-choice options. The situations were so well chosen and the answers so accurate and well thought-out that my wife and I actually got a good laugh out of most of them. I could almost say that a typical tourist could probably do without this book, since much of it deals with situations that most tourists who stay at a hotel, and just go shopping and sight-seeing, will never encounter. However, after witnessing first-hand all to often the cultural insensitivity of my fellow American countrymen and women, I think that reading this book could certainly promote more open-minded thinking and understanding. At the least, it will certainly enhance one's understanding of Morocco and its people. I was so impressed with this book that I plan on getting copies for my sister and any other relatives who plan to visit Morocco with me. It'll certainly help them out.morocco culture,moroccan food,morocco food,moroccan cuisine,morocco beaches,moroccan meal,beaches in morocco,moroccan culture,hercules cave,hercules cave morocco

Culture Shock! Morocco (Culture Shock! A Survival Guide to Customs & Etiquette)

Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular "Culture Shock!" series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. "Culture Shock!" country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. "Culture Shock!" practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler.
Each "Culture Shock!" title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home.


Orin Hargraves, author of Culture Shock! Morocco knows whereof he speaks. As a Peace Corps volunteer to that North African country in the early 1980s, he learned firsthand about the customs and culture in the Maghreb. Hargraves covers the bases with a basic but thorough overview of Moroccan history, geography, and politics. He delves into the psychological and cultural mores of the Moroccan people, from their attitudes about men, women, and family to their views on homosexuality, hospitality, and religion. The areas for potential misunderstanding between western visitors and Moroccans soon become clear, and Hargraves does his best to offer clear explanations of Moroccan thought and behavior.
Chapters on intangibles, such as friendship, world view, and relations between the sexes are followed by practical dos and don'ts for living in the country. In "Communicating in Morocco," Hargraves gives readers a mini-Arabic lesson. in "Where the Guest Is King," he suggests pacing for the many courses likely to be set before a guest at a Moroccan dinner party and other important tips for how to eat from a communal bowl. He gives advice on finding housing, conducting business, and even how to spend leisure time. Though Culture Shock! Morocco is primarily intended for people making a lengthy stay in Morocco, it also makes a terrific introduction to the country for anyone planning to visit there.
I wish that I had a copy of this book five years ago! My wife is from Morocco, I've traveled there several times and stayed with her traditional Moroccan family - and lived elsewhere in the Middle East a total of four years. This book really could have made me worry less about committing cultural blunders had I had it sooner. Unlike many "insider" guides, this book's author really knows what he's talking about. His insights, observations and advice are keen and accurate - unlike so many other books that deal with the often misunderstood cultures of the Arab/Muslim World and are so often plagued with ignorance and stereotypes. I would highly recommended this book to anyone traveling to Morocco who is going to be dealing with Moroccans on a personal or business basis. The book covers everything from the religious views and mentality of the people to their sexual attitudes and about everything else in between - including just general good manners. I especially like the "test" section where the author describes a difficult situation that one may be caught in (such as your host continually demanding that you eat more) and then gives three or four multiple-choice options. The situations were so well chosen and the answers so accurate and well thought-out that my wife and I actually got a good laugh out of most of them. I could almost say that a typical tourist could probably do without this book, since much of it deals with situations that most tourists who stay at a hotel, and just go shopping and sight-seeing, will never encounter. However, after witnessing first-hand all to often the cultural insensitivity of my fellow American countrymen and women, I think that reading this book could certainly promote more open-minded thinking and understanding. At the least, it will certainly enhance one's understanding of Morocco and its people. I was so impressed with this book that I plan on getting copies for my sister and any other relatives who plan to visit Morocco with me. It'll certainly help them out.




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