Marrakech Weather Month by Month

Marrakech Climate Overview

Marrakech sits inland on a plateau at roughly 460 metres elevation, shielded from the Atlantic by no coast and backed by the High Atlas. This gives it a hot semi-arid climate (Koppen BSh) with strong seasonal contrast: blazing dry summers, mild winters, and very little humidity year round. Annual rainfall is low, around 250-280 mm, and falls almost entirely between November and April.

Because the air is dry, summer heat feels intense in direct sun but cools quickly after sunset, and winter days can be pleasantly warm even when nights are cold. The nearby Atlas peaks, often snow-capped from December to March, create a striking backdrop and influence how cool the early mornings feel.

Spring: March to May

Spring is the single best window for most visitors. March starts cool, with highs around 22-23C, then warms steadily into May, when daytime temperatures reach the high 20s to low 30s. Rainfall tapers off through the season and the gardens, including the Majorelle and Menara, are at their greenest.

Evenings remain cool, so a light jacket is useful. This is peak tourist season alongside autumn, so book riads and tours well ahead, especially around Easter and European school holidays.

Summer: June to August

Summer is genuinely hot. Average highs climb to 37-38C in July and August, and heatwaves can push past 45C. The heat is dry rather than humid, which makes it more bearable than coastal humidity, but midday sightseeing is exhausting and risky without precautions.

Locals adapt by starting early, resting at midday, and coming alive in the cool evening. If you visit in summer, prioritise a riad with a pool or air conditioning, explore the medina before 11am, and save afternoons for shaded courtyards or a day trip up into the cooler Atlas valleys.

Autumn: September to November

Autumn mirrors spring and is arguably even more reliable. September can still be hot, around 33-34C, but October settles into the high 20s and November into the low 20s, with cool, comfortable nights. Rain is rare in September and October but can begin in November.

The light is beautiful, crowds are slightly thinner than spring early in the season, and prices are reasonable. This is an excellent time to combine Marrakech with desert excursions, which become far more pleasant once the summer heat breaks.

Winter: December to February

Winter days are mild and often sunny, with highs around 18-20C, but mornings and nights are cold, dropping to 5-8C and occasionally lower. This is the wettest period, though rain typically comes in short bursts rather than all-day downpours.

Pack layers: t-shirts for sunny afternoons and a warm jacket for evenings. Riads can feel chilly because many are built for summer cooling, so confirm heating before booking. The upside is low-season pricing, clear views of the snow-topped Atlas, and quiet souks.

How to Choose Your Month

If comfort is your priority, target April, May, October, or early November. If you want the lowest prices and do not mind cool nights, January and February deliver sunshine and value. Avoid July and August unless you specifically want desert-edge heat and a pool-focused trip.

Whatever the month, sun protection and a refillable water bottle are essential, and a layer for cool evenings is useful in every season except deep summer.

Average Marrakech temperatures and rainfall by month

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