Morocco weather by month: which month is best?
The best months to visit Morocco are April, May, October and early November, when Marrakech sits around 25-28°C, the Sahara is warm but not punishing, and the coast is mild. Summer brings 37°C or more in Marrakech and over 40°C in the desert; December to February are cool and clear by day, cold at night, with snow in the Atlas. Rain falls mainly between November and March, and mostly in the north and on the Atlantic coast.
Morocco has four climates within a day’s drive of each other, so “what is the weather like” only makes sense with a region and a month attached. The table below gives the year at a glance; the sections after it explain each region and link to our detailed monthly pages.
Morocco temperatures month by month
Approximate long-term averages, rounded. Marrakech stands for the imperial cities, Merzouga for the Sahara, Casablanca for the Atlantic coast.
| Month | Marrakech high/low | Sahara (Merzouga) high/low | Coast (Casablanca) high/low | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 / 6°C | 16 / 2°C | 17 / 8°C | Cool, clear, quiet; cold nights |
| February | 20 / 8°C | 19 / 5°C | 18 / 9°C | Similar to January, days lengthening |
| March | 23 / 10°C | 24 / 9°C | 20 / 11°C | Good; some rain, almond blossom |
| April | 25 / 12°C | 28 / 13°C | 21 / 12°C | Excellent almost everywhere |
| May | 29 / 15°C | 32 / 17°C | 23 / 15°C | Excellent; desert starts to heat up |
| June | 33 / 18°C | 37 / 21°C | 25 / 18°C | Hot inland, good on the coast |
| July | 37 / 21°C | 41 / 25°C | 27 / 20°C | Very hot inland; coast only |
| August | 37 / 21°C | 40 / 25°C | 27 / 20°C | Very hot inland; coast only |
| September | 33 / 19°C | 35 / 20°C | 26 / 19°C | Good from mid-month |
| October | 28 / 15°C | 29 / 15°C | 24 / 16°C | Excellent almost everywhere |
| November | 23 / 11°C | 22 / 8°C | 21 / 12°C | Good; first rain in the north |
| December | 19 / 7°C | 17 / 3°C | 18 / 9°C | Mild days, cold nights, Atlas snow |
A few things stand out. The desert is warmer than Marrakech in spring and summer but colder in winter. The coast barely moves, staying between 17°C and 27°C all year. And the two shoulder seasons, April-May and October-November, are the only times when every region is comfortable at once.
Morocco’s four climate regions
The Atlantic coast
Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira and Agadir have a mild maritime climate. Highs run from about 17°C in January to 27°C in August, and the sea keeps nights from getting very cold or very hot. Rain falls between November and March, usually in short bursts. Essaouira is windy year-round and can feel cooler than the numbers suggest. Agadir, further south and sheltered, is the warmest and driest spot on the coast in winter.
The imperial cities and the interior
Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Rabat’s inland neighbours have a continental pattern: cool winters, hot summers, and big day-night swings. Marrakech goes from 18°C in January to 37°C in July and August, when afternoons regularly pass 40°C. Fes is a few degrees cooler and a little wetter in winter. Spring and autumn are the sweet spot, and our tours from Marrakech are busiest in April, May and October for that reason.
The Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas and Middle Atlas are a different country. Ifrane, at about 1,650 m, has snow on the ground for stretches of December to February. The Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) between Marrakech and the desert can see snowfall from November to March. Toubkal, at 4,167 m, is a summer trek and a winter climb. Mountain days are cool even in July, which makes the valleys of Ourika and Imlil an easy escape from the Marrakech heat.
The Sahara
Merzouga, Erg Chebbi and the Draa valley are hot and dry. Summer highs at Merzouga average around 40°C and can go higher; winter nights drop below freezing. Rain is rare in any month. Spring brings a small chance of sandstorms, mostly in March and April. The desert is at its best from October to April, and at its most extreme from June to August.
When is it hot in Morocco?
From mid-June to mid-September. Marrakech averages 37°C in July and August and sees individual days above 45°C. The desert is hotter still. We run inland tours in summer, but we start early and rest through the afternoon. The coast is the comfortable summer option: Essaouira and Agadir stay in the mid-20s. May and September are the transition months: May is already above 30°C in the desert by its end, and September cools quickly after the first two weeks.
When is the rainy season in Morocco?
Morocco does not have a monsoon-style rainy season, but it does have a wet half of the year, from about November to March. How much that matters depends on where you are:
- Tangier, the Rif and the north coast: the wettest part of the country, often over 100 mm in December and January.
- Casablanca and Rabat: moderate winter rain, mostly in short showers between sunny days.
- Fes and Meknes: a few wet spells each winter month.
- Marrakech: light winter rain, around 25-35 mm a month at the peak.
- The Sahara: almost none in any month.
From June to September, most of the country sees little or no rain at all.
Month-by-month: what to expect
January. The coldest month, and one of the quietest. Clear days, cold nights, skiing at Oukaimeden, frost in the desert. Full detail in Morocco in January.
February. Much like January with longer days and a little more warmth. Almond blossom appears in the Tafraoute area and the southern valleys late in the month.
March. Spring arrives. Marrakech reaches the low 20s, the countryside is green, and the desert is warm by day. Some rain in the north; a small chance of sandstorms in the south.
April. One of the two best months. Pleasant everywhere, long days, wildflowers in the Atlas, comfortable desert nights. Full detail in Morocco weather in April.
May. Warm and dry. Marrakech is around 29°C, the desert in the low 30s. Excellent for the cities and the coast; fine for the desert in the first half of the month.
June. Summer starts. Marrakech is in the mid-30s, the desert near 37°C. Good for the coast; inland tours need early starts.
July and August. The hottest weeks of the year. Coast only, or inland with a careful plan and air-conditioned transport. The Atlas valleys are the one cool refuge.
September. Still hot early on, settling to the low 30s inland by the end of the month. The second half is a good time for the desert.
October. The other best month. Warm days, cool evenings, clear skies, and the desert back to its comfortable self. Our busiest month for Morocco desert tours.
November. Cooler and still mostly dry inland; the first real rain in the north. A good-value month.
December. Mild sunny days, cold nights, snow in the Atlas, and a busy week around New Year. Full detail in Morocco weather in December.
Which month should you choose?
It depends on what you want most.
- Cities, mountains and desert in one trip: April, May, October or early November.
- Desert at its best: October to April, accepting cold nights from December to February.
- Beach: June to September, especially Agadir and Essaouira.
- Snow and skiing: January and February.
- Fewest crowds and lowest prices: mid-January to February, and mid-November to mid-December.
We go into the trade-offs in more depth on our best time to visit Morocco page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Morocco?
April and October are the two best months for a trip that mixes cities, mountains and the Sahara. Both give warm days of 25-28°C in Marrakech, comfortable desert nights and a mild coast. May and early November are close behind.
What is the hottest month in Morocco?
July and August, which are roughly equal. Marrakech averages 37°C in the afternoon and often exceeds 40°C; Merzouga in the Sahara averages around 40°C. The coast stays in the mid to high 20s.
What is the coldest month in Morocco?
January. Marrakech averages 18°C by day and 6°C at night, the desert drops to 2°C at night with frost, and the Atlas Mountains are under snow. Casablanca and Agadir on the coast stay milder.
Does Morocco have a rainy season?
Not a true one, but most rain falls between November and March, concentrated in the north and on the Atlantic coast. Marrakech sees only light winter rain and the Sahara is dry in every month.
Is Morocco hot all year round?
No. Summers are very hot inland, but winters are cool and nights can be cold, especially in the desert and the mountains. The coast is mild in every month.
When is the desert too hot to visit?
From mid-June to early September, when Merzouga averages 37-41°C by day and nights stay above 25°C. We still run desert tours in summer for guests who want them, but October to April is a far more comfortable window.
Whichever month you choose, a private driver-guide makes the climate work for you: early starts in summer, chasing the sun in winter, crossing the passes when they are clear. See our Morocco tour packages, or contact us and tell us when you can travel.
