In Morocco the climate is Mediterranean on the coasts, while it's desert in inland areas, and continental in the highest mountains.

Index

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• Atlantic coast - Agadir, Essaouira, Casablanca, Tangier
• Mediterranean coast
• Inland areas - Marrakesh
• Mountain areas - Ifrane
• When to go
• What to pack

Atlantic coast

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The Atlantic coast enjoys a mild climate, similar to that of the Mediterranean, but even milder. Winters look rather like spring, with long sunny periods, while summers are pleasantly warm and sunny.
The rains are not abundant, however, from November to March they can sometimes be intense and concentrated in a few hours, and they can fill the ancient river beds (called wadis), and cause flooding.
A cool sea current flows west of northern Africa, therefore the ocean remains cool even in summer; furthermore, due to this current, along the coast, especially in the southern part, fogs and mists can form on summer mornings. In fact, strange as it may seem, the sea is even a bit colder in the southern part of the coast (see Essaouira, Agadir), than in the northern part, from Tangier to Casablanca.

Agadir

In Agadir, the daily average temperature of January is 14 °C (57 °F), while that of July, August and September is 22 °C (72 °F). Although normal temperatures are mild, throughout the year, a hot wind from the interior can blow for a few days, bringing warm days in winter, with temperatures around 30 °C (86 °F), and scorching days in summer, with peaks above 40 °C (104 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Agadir.

In the southern part of the coast, rainfall is scarce, not reaching 250 millimetres (10 inches) per year, and occurs almost all from late autumn to early spring. Here is the average precipitation in Agadir.

In Agadir, the sun shines all year round, but the sunniest season is spring, because in summer, as we mentioned, fogs can form in the morning.

The sea temperature remains cool even in summer, and reaches a maximum of 21 °C (70 °F) in August and September.

Essaouira

In the southern part of the coast, in the most exposed places (see Essaouira, Sidi Ifni, Tarfaya), summer is particularly cool and windy, and also foggy in the morning (although in recent years, hot African air masses have often prevailed).

Casablanca

In Casablanca, a little more to the north of Essaouira, the average temperature goes from 13 °C (55.5 °F) in January, to 23 °C (73 °F) in July and August. Heatwaves are possible here as well, but they are less intense than in Agadir. The rains, a little more abundant, about 400 mm (16 in) per year, are concentrated in the period from November to April.

As mentioned, in the central part of the coast, the temperature of the sea is a bit higher than in the southern part, and becomes acceptable for swimming in August and September.

In Rabat, the capital, the climate is similar to that of Casablanca.

Tangier

Further to the north, in Tangier, the winter is similar to that of Casablanca, but the summer is warmer: normally highs 28 °C (82 °F) instead of 25/26 °C (77/79 °F). It may seem strange that the summer is warmer in the north than in the south, but the fact is that the effects of the cold sea current here are felt less.

In this northern part of the coast, rainfall is relatively abundant, as weather disturbances pass frequently in autumn and winter. Here is the average rainfall in Tangier.

On the Mediterranean coast, the sun shines less frequently in winter, as Atlantic disturbances pass more frequently, while summer days are generally sunny.

The sea temperature in this northern part of the coast is similar to that of Casablanca and Rabat.

Mediterranean coast

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On the Mediterranean coast, the climate is typically Mediterranean, with mild and moderately rainy winters, which resemble those of the Atlantic coast, and hot and sunny summers, which are hotter than on the Atlantic coast: in Al Hoceima the temperature ranges from 12 °C (53.5 °F) in January, to 25 °C (77 °F) in August. In the Spanish exclave of Melilla, the climate is similar. Sudden increases in temperature occur here as well, when the wind blows from the desert, a situation more common in spring. Infiltration from the Atlantic Ocean makes the sea a little colder than in other Mediterranean countries, and similar to that of Tangier, so that even here the water temperature reaches 23 °C (73 °F) in August.

Inland areas

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Moving towards the interior, the effect of the cold Atlantic current is sharply reduced, so the imperial cities have a climate characterized by hot summers, while winters are slightly colder, partly because of the higher altitude.

Marrakesh

In particular, in Marrakesh, 450 metres (1,450 ft) above sea level, the average goes from 12 °C (53.5 °F) in January, to 28 °C (82 °F) in July and August. The sun shines all year round; the rains are concentrated from mid-October to April, and are usually not abundant; in summer, there are long sunny periods, interrupted by sporadic thunderstorms. In the worst moments, the temperature can exceed 45 °C (113 °F).

In the interior, the sun shines all year round.

Further to the north, Fez, 400 metres (1,300 feet) above sea level, is a bit colder and rainier: the average goes from 9 °C (48 °F) in January, to 26 °C (79 °F) in July and August; annual precipitation is about 500 mm (20 in). A similar climate is found in Meknes, located at 500 metres (1,600 feet) above sea level, and a short distance from Fez.

Mountainous areas

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In the mountainous areas, the range of Atlas and of that of Rif to the north have a colder climate due to the altitude, so that there are even ski resorts (see Ifrane). Summers are hot during the day up to fairly high altitudes, while nights are more or less cool, depending on altitude. The highest peak is Toubkal, 4,167 meters (13,671 feet) high.

Ifrane

Here are the average temperatures of Ifrane, located at 1,700 meters (5,500 feet) above sea level, in the Middle Atlas.

At Ifrane, 1,100 mm (45 in) of rain fall per year; being on the western slope, in winter it receives abundant precipitation. In winter it can snow, even though the snowfalls are more abundant in the mountain peaks. In summer, when the sun dominates, every so often some showers can occur.

The eastern slopes of the Atlas, towards Algeria, have an arid climate; in winter the temperature is cold at night, while in summer the heat is intense, but tempered by altitude, at least as compared with the Algerian desert. In Er Rachidia, at 1,000 metres (3,300 feet) above sea level, the average daily temperature in July is around 30 °C (86 °F).

When to go

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To visit the imperial cities of Morocco you can choose spring and autumn, in March-April and from October to mid-November. There may be both cold nights and hot days, but generally the temperature is pleasant, and the sky is almost always clear, with rare rains.
For a beach holiday, along the Atlantic coast you can go from July to September, and along the Mediterranean coast in July and August. As mentioned, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean are cool even in summer, and fogs and mists may form in the morning along the coast, reducing the hours of sunshine.

What to pack

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In winter: on both the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coast, spring/autumn clothes, a jacket and a sweater, a raincoat or umbrella; for the imperial cities you can add a warm hat for the evening; for the mountain areas, warm clothes, such as a down jacket, gloves; for the desert, light clothing, but also sweater, a warm jacket for the evening, a scarf for the wind-borne sand and dust.

In summer: on the Mediterranean coast, light clothing, a light sweatshirt for the evening; on the Atlantic coast, especially in Agadir and Essaouira, better to add a pair of jeans, a sweatshirt, a light jacket and a scarf. For inland and desert areas, loose fitting, light-coloured clothing, light and long shirt and pants, a sun hat and desert turban; sunglasses (even graduated instead of contact lenses), a sweatshirt for the evening; sleeping bag to sleep outdoors; hiking shoes or sandals. In the mountains, a sweater and jacket for overnight stays outdoors. For women, it is best to avoid shorts and miniskirts, especially in rural and non-tourist areas.

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