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The Moroccan Coast... Essaouira |
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The climate of Morocco is very different according to areas'.The littoral areas profiting from a moderate climate contrast with the desert climate of the South and the East of the country. Seen since outside like a hot country, the Moroccan climate however comprises many nuances.Mediterranean in north, oceanic in the west, continental inside the grounds and Saharan in the south, the climate of the country varies, of course, according to the seasons.
All in all, the summer is hot and pleasant on the coast and in the mountains, but proves choking in the south and the large cities. In winter, the coastal zones profit from relatively soft temperatures. A contrario, the winter is cold and very wet on the whole of the relief, which constitutes most of Morocco.
On the Western coast, the average temperatures vary between 8° and 21°C in winter, of coldest with hottest of the day. In summer, they vary 17° with 27°C. In the interior of the country, the winter average temperatures vary between 4° and 20°C. In summer, they vary 17° with 38°C. The variations in temperature are weak on the Atlantic coast, whereas the interior is characterized by extreme variations.
The rain seasons generally take place October at November and from April at May. Let us note that the North-West of Morocco, Rif, is the most sprinkled zone of Morocco.
The climate area by area
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The desert, if envoutant…
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» The climate of the coastal areas is generally moderate, but the winter can be wet and windy in spite of soft temperatures. The average temperatures in Tangier and Casablanca are of 12°C in winter and 25°C in summer. Apart from a stressing of heat towards the south, the coastal zone knows a succession of seasons which should not divert a European visitor if it is not by an quasi-absence of autumn. The littoral knows one bright and sumptuous spring which very quickly leaves the place to a hot and wet summer at the edge of the Mediterranean or of the Ocean.
» In Rif and the Average Atlas, the summer months are dry but the falls of rain in winter are strongest of the country. The hard rain season from November to January, and it happens that it extends until April.
» In the interior of the country, the climate varies according to altitude. The summers are hot and dry. When the Saharan winds of the desert, the sirocco or the chergui (East wind) blow, heat can become unbearable with temperatures reaching the 40°C. These winds, charged with sand and dust of the desert, blow mainly in spring. At this season, the average temperatures are however of 22° with 24°C. Attention thus with the peaks of heat. The winters are cold and rainy with frequent freezing and snow. The average temperature evolves/moves then of 12° with 14°C and can go down exceptionally until - 20°C.
» Saharan pre Morocco and Saharan A a dry desert climate. Even in winter, the climate of the desert is hot and dry in the course of the day, but becomes very cold the night. In summer, be wary obviously of the blazing sun!
When to leave ?
Each season offers its advantages and a light which is clean for him. The travellers will be able to thus traverse the country all the year. However, those which wish to visit the cities in the interior of the country, in particular the imperial cities Fès, Meknès or Marrakech, May and April will préfèreront for spring (trees in flower) and October and September for the autumn. Indeed, the summer months prove truly choking for that or that which ventures in the depths of Morocco. At that time better is worth to benefit from the littoral, moderate by the marine breeze, and of the mountain in altitude.
For the Saharan areas, the best moment is between October and February. In edge of the Sahara, where prevail of the winds dry and extreme, the temperature goes up sometimes until 45°C in August. Even if the perhaps idyllic winter during the day with Marrakech and more with the South, are wary of the variations in temperatures… the night is icy! |
