Various climates
From the sweltering heat of the desert to the cool of the mountains, via the temperate regions of the coastline, Morocco's astonishing climatic variations from one region to the next can be divided into several zones: Mediterranean in the north, continental in the interior, Atlantic along the ocean and desert in the south and east. Each climate has its own specific characteristics, some alternating between hot and cold and others between mild temperatures all year round. Cities in the south, for example, boast an annual average of 8 hours of sunshine a day, while the north of the Atlantic and the Rif see heavy rainfall, around 800 mm a year.
The North, under the influence of the Mediterranean climate
From Saïda to El-Jadida, via the Tangerese peninsula, northern Morocco is subject to a Mediterranean-type climate, comparable in every way to that of southern Spain. However, depending on whether one is on the Mediterranean side or on the Atlantic coast, some climatic variations can be felt. For example, east of Tangier, summers are hotter and drier, with temperatures around 30°C, whereas on the ocean windswept west coast they are more temperate. Along the Atlantic coast, seaside resorts suffer from oceanic disturbances, especially during the rainy season, from October to May in the far north of the country. But the further south you go, the less rainfall there is. While Tangier records a rainfall of more than 800 mm per year, Casablanca barely receives 450 mm. As for temperatures, the sea plays its role as a thermal regulator, helped by the Azores anticyclone, offering mild temperatures to seaside resorts all year round. Winters are wet, however, and nights can be cool even though temperatures rarely fall below 10°C. Spring and summer are pleasant seasons to discover the north, with temperatures around 25 °C in August. Nevertheless, you should bring a little wool for the morning fog or night dew, which are common at these times. Between the Doukkala plain, the Essaouira coastline and the Souss basin, the climate is more arid, influenced by the warm winds from the Sahara. But the trade winds, which blow throughout the year, influence temperatures, which reach an average of 22°C in summer. The rainy season lasts less than six months, from November to March, with fairly low rainfall, ranging from 400 mm in Safi to 270 mm in Agadir. Like the cities of the North Atlantic, mist and dew are also frequent here, but the sunshine is more generous, as in Agadir, which boasts 340 days of sunshine per year.
Continental climate from the Rif to the Atlas
Inland, a continental climate develops, characterized by hot, dry summers alternating with cold, wet winters. But here too, there are some differences between the North and the South, which are worth mentioning. Around Fez and Meknes, summers are very short and arid, and winters are cooler, with temperatures dropping as low as 4°C. Moreover, snow falls above 1,000 m above sea level in the Middle Atlas Mountains, which is home to the country's second largest ski resort, Michlifen, near Ifrane. As for Marrakech, located in the heart of the Haouz plain, it is influenced by the Sahara from spring onwards to become a real oven in summer, reaching almost 50°C! Winters are milder and less rainy there than around Fez, but autumn remains the ideal season to go there, benefiting from milder and less arid weather. South of Marrakech, the High Atlas mountains form a natural barrier between the desert and the sea coast. From Jebel Toubkal, the highest point in North Africa, to Imilchil, the northern slopes of the central part are exposed to oceanic disturbances, generating rainfall of up to 1,000 mm per year. The summer is very dry and punctuated by sometimes violent thunderstorms, while the winter, which is very cold, sees the summits covered with snow. As for the southern slope of the central part, it has a semi-desert continental climate with high temperatures.
The Anti-Atlas and the Saharan desert
Between the arid Saharan zone and the semi-arid Mediterranean zone, the Anti-Atlas is the southernmost of the atlasic massifs, at the gateway to the desert. Here also the climate varies according to the exposure and the altitude at which one is found. At the foot of the mountains, winters are hotter and drier than on the heights, where the cold is felt with temperatures approaching 5°C. The area is also exposed to rainfall of between 100 and 200 mm per year, with the westerly slopes being the wettest. In summer, temperatures often exceed 40 °C, influenced by the chergui, a scorching south-east wind, which opposes the gharbi, a cool and humid westerly wind. To the south of the Anti-Atlas, the Saharan desert stretches as far as the eye can see beyond the borders of Morocco. During the day, the heat is stifling, often exceeding 50°C, while at night, temperatures drop drastically. The thermal amplitude is then important, often higher than 35°C. However, along the Atlantic coast of Western Sahara, the temperature differences between day and night are smaller and summer temperatures are more pleasant. When it is over 55 °C in the middle of August in Tata, in the south-east of Morocco, Laâyoune barely registers 30 °C, which is swept by the Atlantic winds. From north to south and from east to west, Morocco is subject to significant climatic variations, due to several influential natural factors, mentioned above. From the harsh winters in the Rif Mountains to the warmer winters in the desert, or the drier summers in the High Atlas Mountains to the more temperate summers on the Atlantic coast, there is something for everyone, depending on their interests and preferences. A great advantage for this multi-faceted country.
