A Guide to the Weather in Morocco

Weather in Morocco

Much of Morocco's weather is typical of a four-season climate – super hot in the summer without much rain, winter turning wet, snowy and humid with milder conditions, and the shoulder seasons of autumn and spring acting as usual, with warm to mild temperatures.

A common misconception about Morocco is that the country is just a desert and is always hot. Yes, the Sahara makes up a large chunk of inland Morocco and many places swelter in summer, but the climate changes depending on where you are in the country, and the time of year you visit.

Northern coastlines, like in Tangier, follow more of a Mediterranean climate pattern, with warm summers and cool winters, but not too much extremity on either side. Cities and towns along the coast usually experience milder temperatures throughout the year, not reaching much higher than 30°C (86°F) on a hot day.

The further you move inland, the arider the climate becomes and the more elevation plays a part. In desert areas and arid zones, temperatures can soar to well above 40°C (104°F). Mountainous areas, such as Mt Toubkal in the High Atlas, follow similar patterns, but evenings can offer quite cool conditions and there's plenty of snowfall in winter, so don't let the harsh sun-kissed landscapes fool you.

Weather in Tangier

One of the northernmost points of Morocco, Tangier follows a more Mediterranean climate of relatively hot summers, wet and mild winters and coastal winds blowing inland to offset the heat at many times of the year. It has heavier rainfall than most parts of northern Africa, but virtually no rain in July or August.

Month	Average high	Average low
March to May	20°C/67°F	11°C/52°F
June to August	27°C/81°F	18°C/64°F
September to November	24°C/75°F	15°C/60°F
December to February	17°C/62°F	13°C/49°F

Birds flying over a square in Casablanca, Morocco

Weather in Casablanca

Further down the coast, Casablanca has more of an oceanic sub-mediterranean climate and – surprisingly – similar weather patterns to Los Angeles! Casablanca is in the path of the cool Atlantic Canary Current, which moderates temperatures during the year.

Month	Average high	Average low
March to May	20°C/70°F	12°C/53°F
June to August	25°C/77°F	19°C/66°F
September to November	23°C/74°F	15°C/60°F
December to February	17°C/63°F	9°C/48°F

Two travellers hiking in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco

Weather in the High Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains cover a large section of northwestern Africa, through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The High Atlas in central Morocco is the highest section of this range, with the altitude lending itself to dry summers and some snow in the winter. The High Atlas's higher sections – where some peaks rise to over 4000 m – are understandably cooler; however, towards the south the climate is influenced more by the Sahara, with hot desert temperatures prevailing for most of the year.

Month	Average high	Average low
March to May	26°C/79°F	13°C/55°F
June to August	36°C/96°F	20°C/68°F
September to November	28°C/82°F	14°C/58°F
December to February	20°C/68°F	7°C/45°F

Weather in Marrakech

It's time to take the heat up a notch. Marrakech is around three hours south of Casablanca and, because it's inland, the temperatures can sizzle. It's classed as a semi-arid climate, but as it's north of the Atlas Mountains, it can't be described as a desert city. At times, though, it sure does feel like it!

July has the most sunshine with an average of 10.8 hours per day, and the wettest month is November, with an average of 40.6 mm of rainfall. Temperatures have hit nearly 50°C (122°F) in the summer, so if you're travelling then, be ready for sizzling conditions.

Month	Average high	Average low
March to May	27°C/81°F	13°C/55°F
June to August	37°C/98°F	20°C/69°F
September to November	28°C/83°F	15°C/60°F
December to February	20°C/68°F	7°C/45°F