Weather Marrakesh
Marrakesh or Marrakech is a town in the north west of Morocco in Northern Africa.
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.
When Is The Best Time To Visit Marrakesh?
The heart of the city's artistic culture is music. In the medina quarter of Marrakesh is a square called Djemaa el Fna. Here you can hear some of the country's best musicians playing alongside street musicians, snake charmers and story-tellers.
There is so much to see in this dusty, vibrant city and really there is no bad time to visit. The summertime heat is extreme, so follow the locals and rest in the peak of the day's heat. Or you could 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.
What's The Dress Code in Marrakesh?
Although there is no specific dress code in Marrakesh, if you dress like you're headed for the beach you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Respect the culture around you by covering your shoulders and knees. Long trousers and shirts with collars are usual for men while women should cover legs and arms to avoid unwanted attention.
Marrakesh's Semi-Arid Climate
Marrakesh enjoys a hot, semi-arid steppe climate with incredibly hot summers, warm winters and comfortably hot springs and autumns.
Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies between 6°C and 38°C, rarely dropping below 5°C or rising above 43°C.
Rainfall is very low all year, contrary to the sunshine hours which are consistently high.
Spring Weather in Marrakesh
Spring is classed as March, April and May in Marrakesh and is the best season to visit Marrakesh because the weather is pleasantly warm, with just a small amount of rain.
At this time of year the average temperature is around 19°C, climbing as the season progresses. Average highs range from 25°C to 29°C and average lows from 11°C to 15°C.
Temperatures Drop At Night
Since temperatures drop so sharply at night, the evenings can feel a bit chilly at this time of year, so make sure you take a light coat or jacket for the evenings.
Marrakesh enjoys between eight and nine hours of sunshine, along with very little cloud coverage in spring.
What's The Wettest Time In Marrakesh?
After winter, spring is the wettest season of the year for Marrakesh. April is the wettest month, when 39mm of precipitation falling over an average of eight rainy days.
March sees a similar 38mm of rainfall over eight days, but May sees just 24mm of rainfall over five days, when the spring season is transitioning into the much drier summer. When it rains, it will usually be in the form of thunderstorms or moderate rain.
Sandstorms From the Sahara Desert
Sandstorms occur in spring. This season is usually fairly windy. When these breezes get strong, they pick up sand from the nearby Sahara Desert and blow it westward over the city.causing harsh, dry conditions and reduced visibility.
When they're at their most severe, these sandstorms can even reduce visibility by so much that transport comes to a halt.
Summer Weather in Marrakesh
Summer in Marrakesh is classed as June, July, August and September. It's the hottest time of the year and is characterised by clear blue skies, blazing sunshine and barely a drop of rain.
How Hot Is Marrakesh In Summer?
The average temperature is 27°C, peaking at 29°C in July and August which are the resort's hottest months. Average highs range between 33°C and 38°C and average lows drop down to between 19°C and 21°C.
It's not uncommon for temperatures to spike into the early- and mid-40s in heatwaves. Despite the summer evenings in Marrakesh being balmy, the significant drop in temperature between the day and night can bring some welcome relief from the heat.
Summer sunshine hours
The first three months of summer are the sunniest when the resort boasts an average of 11 hours of sunshine each day. This drops down to nine by September, when summer is transitioning into autumn.
Cloud coverage is remarkably low in this season, ranging between highs of 33% and lows of 13%.
Does It Rain In Marrakesh In Summer?
Summer is the driest season of the year for Marrakesh. July is the driest month, with just 1mm of rainfall. September is the wettest month of the summer with 6mm of rain falling over the course of three wet days.
The most common forms of precipitation for this time of year are thunderstorms, so be prepared for the odd stormy day.
Autumn Weather in Marrakesh
Just like spring, autumn classed as October and November is also a great time to visit Marrakesh. Temperatures are pleasantly warm and rainfall is low. At this time of year, the average temperature is 19°C, which drops as the season develops.
How Hot Is Marrakesh In Autumn?
Average daytime highs range from 23°C to 29°C and fall significantly to 16°C and 11°C after dark, providing some much-welcomed respite from the heat. Evenings can sometimes get a bit chilly especially toward the end of November so make sure you pack a jacket to keep you warm.
October and November Are Sunny Months In Marraksh
Despite it being autumn, October and November are still very sunny months, with an average of eight and seven daily sunshine hours apiece, respectively.
Median cloud coverage stays steady throughout the season, ranging from lows of 33% up to highs of 37%.
Compared to the dry summer season, autumn in Marrakesh is relatively wet. Rain starts out at 24mm over the course of six days in October and jumps up to 41mm over seven days by November.
This rain is often welcomed, as it helps cool and freshens the air, and comes in the form of dramatic thunderstorms. Flash flooding can sometimes occur but any inconvenience is usually brief.
Winter Weather in Marrakesh
Winter, which is classed as December, January and February, is the coolest time of year to visit Marrakesh, The resort enjoys mild days and cold nights.
During this season, the average temperature is 13°C, with January the coldest month of the year. Average daytime highs fall between 19°C and 21°C, with average nighttime lows of 6°C-8°C.
Sunshine hours In WInter
Even though it's winter, December, January and February still see a fair bit of sunshine, with seven to eight hours of full sun each day. Thee's not much cloud cover either which means there are clear skies and sunshine for the majority of the winter.
Rain In Marrakesh In WInter
Winter is the wettest time of the year for Marrakesh. February is the wettest month, when an average of 38mm of rain falls over seven wet days, followed by January with 32mm over eight days and December with a comparatively dry 13mm over seven days.
The Atlas Mountains, which stretch down the eastern section of Morocco and pass by Marrakech, trap winds bearing rain.
This is the reason why the foothills of the area where Marrakesh sits receive plenty of fresh water, while the surrounding areas are remarkably arid.