Climate and Weather of Morocco
Morocco is a mountainous country in Northwestern Africa and is among the several African countries with a coastline directly overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Morocco is home to some of the world's architectural wonders such as Casablanca itself, as well as the famous azure town of Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City of Morocco.As the country is geographically diverse, the distinct landscapes of Morocco make for differing climate types across the country. The climate of the northern Moroccan coast and central areas is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers from July to September and mild wet winters from December to February. Meanwhile, further inland temperatures are more extreme with the weather being cold in winter and very hot during summer. Morocco gets daily sunshine ranging from 13 hours in the desert to 9 and 10 hours in the Atlantic. During winter, you'll see up to 6 hours of sun a day in the North, which increases to 7 or 8 as you move further south.
Speaking of temperatures, July is the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. July brings Morocco warm average maximum daytime temperatures ranging from 22°C in Essaouira to very warm temperatures of 45°C in Zagora. On the other hand, Morocco experiences moderate maximum daytime temperatures in January from 12°C in Midelt to 21°C in Tan-Tan, while nighttime temperatures range from 10°C in Tan-Tan to 1°C in Midelt.
In terms of precipitation, July is the driest month of the year, while November is the wettest. Average precipitation in July can range from 0 mm or non-existent in Tarfaya to low rainfall of 5 mm in Midelt. Meanwhile, average precipitation ranges in November from low in Tarfaya with 15 mm rainfall to high in Rabat with 98 mm rainfall.
Does it snow in Morocco?
Contrary to popular belief, certain countries in Africa do get snow every winter, and these countries include Morocco. As a matter of fact, Morocco has reputable ski resorts where travellers get to enjoy African snowfall at the passes and peaks of the High Atlas Mountains from November through to the end of March.
Does Morocco get hurricanes?
There is no recorded destructive hurricane to have ever hit Morocco. However, Morocco's coastal areas such as Rabat and Casablanca do get affected by seasonal tropical storms, with the closest encounter being Tropical Storm Delta in 2005. Delta did not leave any damage and casualty as it dissipated when it left the boundaries of Western Africa. Because Morocco has mountainous terrain, high altitudes play a significant role in essentially decreasing the impact of the strong winds that storms bring from the Mediterranean Sea to the country.
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
The best time to visit Morocco depends on your planned itinerary and the range of activities you would like to enjoy. The country is known for its grand mountain chains perfect for hiking and exploration, as well as breathtakingly beautiful beaches along its Mediterranean coastline.
If you plan on experiencing snowfall at the High Atlas Mountains, it would be ideal to visit Morocco during winter from December to February. Keep in mind that the coldest daytime temperature in January is at 12°C in Midelt, a city surrounded by the High Atlas Mountains. Be sure to wear protective clothing from the cold.
If you plan on visiting Casablanca and seeing architectural wonders, it is best to visit Morocco from June to August when the weather is pleasant for hiking and trekking. Keep in mind that temperatures could get very warm, so it is best to stay hydrated and dress lightly.
We do not recommend travelling to Morocco between November and December as this is when most rainfall occurs. The Atlantic coast, particularly Casablanca, sees the most rain, with the heaviest rain happening every winter.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Morocco?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.