Today's weather for Marrakesh, Morocco26th Nov 2009 15:00

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Weather Overview for Marrakesh

Marrakesh, or Marrakech, has an arid climate with blisteringly hot summers, warm to cool winters, and pleasantly hot springs and autumns. Rainfall is low year round and the sun shines almost constantly. There is always a huge decrease in temperature at night time. Marrakesh is the capital of Morocco, sitting in the centre of the North African country.

Spring, from March till May, ties with autumn as the best season to visit Marrakesh. The average high temperature climbs up through the pleasant 20s, starting at 22°C in March and reaching 28°C by May. The large drop in temperature at night means that in March it can actually be pretty chilly once the sun goes down; in April night time can be refreshingly cool and in May it is pleasantly warm at first but becomes stifling as summer approaches. Rainfall is low but can fall a few days in each month in short storms. Sandstorms are most likely in spring as it can be very windy, blowing sand in from the Sahara, though they can actually occur at any time. These storms are harsh and dry, reduce visibility and can even bring all transport to a halt.

Summer, from June till September, is characterised by blazing sunshine, clear blue skies, a complete absence of rain and unbearable heat. The average high temperature rises from the low 30s to a peak of 37°C in July and 36°C in August. Temperatures can spike into the 40s. While the temperature plummets at night, the relative cool around 20°C in the peak months is still hot. June sees much cooler nights with an average low temperature of 16°C: much more pleasant. Remember, Marrakesh is far from water and escape from the heat is only to be found indoors or far away in the Atlas Mountains. Architects have built the city into a maze of high walls, narrow alleys and paths to create cool, shadowy walkways; this works to some extent but only to temper the heat. Luckily, humidity is low, helping to make it more bearable.

Autumn, in October and November, is a fantastic time to visit the city. The average high temperature drops from 28°C in October to 22°C in November. Cool nights provide relief from the heat of the days; just after summer night time lows are around 14°C; at the end of autumn the average low temperature hovers around 10°C. Rain makes the occasional appearance during these months, offering refreshment in the form of dramatic thunderstorms. Flash flooding can occur but any inconvenience caused is usually brief.

Winter, from December till February, sees milder temperatures in the day and very cool nights. The day time average high sits just under 20°C, sometimes fluctuating either side, and night time temperatures drop to an average of 6°C. Rarely, it drops below freezing. While this is still a great time to visit the city, tourists must come prepared for cold nights and not expect to be able to handle the icy waters of outdoor pools.

Much of North Africa is desert and to the south of Morocco is Western Sahara. While the coasts of Africa can receive temperate or even Mediterranean weather conditions, the interior regions are mainly arid. The Atlas Mountains, stretching down the east side of Morocco and passing by the side of Marrakech trap winds bearing precipitation so while the areas surrounding them are arid, their foothills, where Marrakech sits, receive plenty of fresh water.

Marrakesh is a heady cocktail of the old and the new. While tourism is its main earner, it is still a functioning city; the hustle and bustle of modern life jostles with ancient tradition along the thin alleys and in the market squares. The criss-cross of telephone wires and honking traffic jams intertwine with the archways and intricate patterns of Moorish design. While it is these images that pop into mind when Marrakesh is mentioned, the heart of the city’s artistic culture is music. In the medina quarter of Marrakesh is a square called Djemaa el Fna where some of the country’s best musicians can be found playing alongside street musicians, snake charmers and story-tellers. This is also where the annual Marrakesh International Film Festival is held, an event that is making great strides in its prestige and has been compared to Cannes. The Festival of Popular Arts takes place around the end of June or beginning of July, and the Gnaoua Festival takes place in the third week of June in Essaouira. At these festivals North African art is celebrated and special performances take place.

There is so much to see in this dusty, vibrant city and really there is no bad time to visit. Heat is synonymous with desert cities and summertime will push you to the extremes that Marrakesh is all about. You can follow the locals and rest in the peak of the day’s heat, or escape to a luxurious hammam, a traditional Turkish spa. The cold of the winter nights are a startling but exotic contrast to the warm days.

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