Marrakech Weather and Seasonal Travel Tips
It seems that there is nothing more unpredictable than weather these days, and Morocco is no exception. Since I began coming here in 2009 it definitely seems like the summers are hotter and the winters are colder-but there are PLENTY of beautiful days in between, and Marrakech is a popular destination year-round.
Still, there are seasonal averages that are somewhat predictable: spring and fall are the busiest tourist seasons because the weather is almost perfect) Winter has the coolest temperatures and the greatest chance of showers. Summers can sizzle, but there are ways to beat the heat. Let’s break it down further.
Fall Marrakech weather: so much to love you’ll wish you had more time
Come to Marrakech between mid-September and mid-November and you will find blissfully warm days and cooler nights. Crowds seem to be lower after summer vacations and kids going back to school.
You can expect daytime highs in the 70’s to ’80s and lows in the high 50’s to 60’s. There is an average of just 1 day of rainfall a month at this time. Perfect weather for morning sightseeing and shopping excursions in the Medina spending afternoons and evenings sipping and dining on Marrakech rooftops in Riads and restaurants.
Fall is also the ideal time to visit the coastal town of Essaouira just a 3-hour drive from Marrakech, as the winds that are present most of the year calm down in these months!
Winter Marrakech weather: probably better than where you come from!
Marrakech is a common winter escape from colder European and American cities. In fact, the last week or so of December and first week of January are HIGH high season here. Many Europeans travel here to celebrate the holidays and most of the lodging options in the city are booked well in advance at higher prices. So, plan early if you want to come at this time.
Average temperatures daytime highs in the 60’s and 70’s with lows in the mid 40’s to low 50’s. Average rainfall in late December, January in February is 7 days per month, but it doesn’t generally rain for days on end. Rather, there are short bursts of showers and many seem to occur during the nighttime hours.
One of the bonuses of Marrakech in the winter is that the normally hazy air clears and you will be rewarded with beautiful rooftop views of the snow on our nearby Atlas Mountain range.
Spring Marrakech weather: mostly perfect with perfumed air
Spring, like fall, offers the most temperate climate of warmer days and cooler nights. It’s a beautiful time to visit the country. In March through May the roses and orange trees will be blooming and the scent will follow you , especially if you get out of the Medina and explore the new town of Gueliz.
Daytime highs and lows here range from the mid 60’s to low 70’s. Spring rains are possible 5-7 days a month, but again, they usually come in short bursts, further refreshing the air.
As the winter rains leave us with green fields that are often filled with wildflowers, Spring is a great time to escape the city and plan day excursions to the local mountains and park areas.
Summer Marrakech weather: some like it hot!
There is no getting around it. Summer in Marrakech can be hot. As in, daytime highs July and August range from the high 80’s to low 100’s with nighttime lows from the 70’s to 80’s, with almost zero chance of rain in the forecast.
Ways to beat the heat:
Afternoons spent lounging and lunching at one of the many resort pools that offer day passes.
Pass the high afternoon heat in your air-conditioned room.
Excursions to the nearby mountains, where the temperatures can be 10 degrees cooler or more.
Day or overnight trips to the coast. The cooler beach towns of Essaouira, Safi, Oualidia, Agadir, and popular Taghazout are all within a 3 hours drive from Marrakech.
More Marrakech Weather Travel Tips
The bright Marrakech sun blesses us with the most beautiful, clear light but too much of it isn’t good for your skin. Protect yourself with hats and sunscreen. Try to avoid walking around much between 1-4, when the sun is most intense. This is lunch time in Morocco, so relaxing in a covered restaurant terrace is your best bet at this time anyway. Straw hats make a great souvenir and are for sale throughout the Medina, with the best selection found in the spice square of Rabha Lakdima in the middle of the Marrakech souks. Also-stay hydrated in hot weather with bottled water and fresh juice breaks.
Pack a coat for late November through mid-March. Morocco is often referred to as a cold country under a hot sun. And I would definitely agree with that for the winter months. The snow that covers our local mountains and the dry air here can sometimes make it seem even cooler than it is
When it rains, it pours! In most cases, rain showers don’t last too long in Marrakech but they can be intense downpours when they happen and, frankly, exciting. If it starts raining, men will magically appear selling cheap umbrellas for about 50 dirhams. If you don’t want to spend the money, it’s a good time to duck into a covered café for a café nus nus (half espresso/half steamed milk) and wait it out for an hour or so.