Morocco Weather is largely Mediterranean with extreme embellishments the further inland one ventures and Atlantic influences in the western part of the country. Slightly smaller in size than France, Morocco is placed on the north-western corner of Africa, with both the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean washing out on its coastline, a fact that has an imposing effect on Morocco weather. Perhaps one of the more interesting aspects of the weather in Morocco is the fact that each of its main areas - Coast on the west, Rif mountains in the North, Atlas Mountains in the interior, Sahara Desert to the south & east – has its own unique type of weather, making the country a popular holiday destination through out the year.
Understandably, Morocco weather becomes fairly moderate, veering towards the Mediterranean type, the closer one gets to the coastline, a condition most evident not only in the northern coast of the country, but also around the Rif mountain region of the interior and the Atlantic coastline. Here the summers are very hot although the full effect of the scorching is never felt, thanks to cool breezes coming from the water bodies, providing some much needed cooling effects. Snow is a non entity in both the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines.
However, since the Atlantic coastline and the Rif mountain range are exposed to the influence of the ocean, winters in the area are rather short but ‘armed’ with heavy rainfalls. In comparison to the northern coast, summer temperatures in the area are considerably lower, although a by-product of the influence of cold offshore water summers are also marked clouds and occasionally fog.
Standing at an incredible 4,163 m above sea level, the Atlas mountain range dominates the landscape of the inland area. Temperatures remain close to freezing point through out the year, and the mountain peaks remain covered in a white blanket deep into summer season, thanks to the heavy snow fall the area experiences.
As we come down from the mountains the summers become increasingly hotter, with both winter and spring embellished with an array of chilly days thanks to the cold winds blowing off the mountains. At medium altitudes Morocco weather takes a turn for the better. Although the summers are still hot, humidity drops considerably and the winters are mild and rather sunny, although the nice weather is frequently intercepted by long spells of unfavourable weather.
Again, the weather does an about face as we take the opposite direction and head for the East Atlas mountains. Sheltered by the mountainous system, weather turns dry and extremely warm during the long lasting summer season, finally becoming hot on the valleys and the lowlands facing the Sahara.
Deep in the Sahara region, summers are distinguished by the prevailing scorching heat and winters veering towards the other extreme, becoming very cold to the point of being chilly. Although rain does make the odd appearance, it comes in so small proportions, that it is rendered almost non-existent. But as the desert reaches the ocean summer weather becomes more tolerable as it’s moderated by the cool ocean waters and daytime sea breezes.
Rain is more likely to fall on Morocco during the months of October-November and April-May, with the north western part of the country enjoying the lion’s share of the downpours.
As mentioned earlier, because of the many variations of Morocco weather, the country remains an attraction for overseas visitors through out the year. Yet, the best time to visit Morocco is definitely during the early stages of the summer months when the weather in Morocco is at its most pleasant.
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