Does it Snow in Morocco
What comes to mind when you think about Morocco? A friend asked me a question. Its vibrant markets are filled with colorful spices, textiles, and handicrafts. I answered while thinking, Morocco brings to mind its rich history and stunning architecture, especially the beautiful mosques that inspire me a lot.
Instead, The Sahara Desert is one of the first things that come to mind when I think about Morocco. Riding camels over dunes and camping under the stars in the desert is incredibly captivating. And snow? He inquired. I counter-questioned him. Does it snow in Morocco?
Morocco is a country officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco. Morocco is bordered with diverse geographical features like the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and western Sahara. Morocco is rich in geography and diverse landforms.
It includes coastal plains, deserts and mountains. For more information on snow in different countries in Africa like Madagascar checkout: does it snow in Madagascar.
Climate of Morocco: Does It Snow in Morocco
Before writing about the climate, Let me tell you about snow in Morocco. Morocco experiences snowfall in winter. Atlas Mountains, the highest peak, particularly receives snowfall, including Mount Toubkal, the highest peak of North America, also receives significant snowfall in winter.
Other than these Mountains, the higher elevated regions in Morocco receive snowfall. It is better to say snow is uncommon in the country except in the mountains.
Climate in Morocco is not a uniform phenomenon. Due to its diverse geography, Morocco experiences different climates across different regions. Generally, Morocco’s climate can be classified into three climatic zones: For more information on snow in different countries in Africa like Kenya checkout: does it snow in Kenya.
Mediterranean climate | Mountain Climate | Desert Climate |
The coastal areas, including cities like Rabat, Casablanca, and Tangier, experience a Mediterranean climateSummers are hot and dry here, winters are mild and wet, and rainfall is high during winters. | The Atlas Mountains region, including cities like Marrakech, has a Mountain climate. Summers are warm and hot, winters are cold, and snowfall occurs in Mountains, especially in higher elevated areas. | The Sahara Desert covers the southern part of Morocco, which has a desert climate. The climate here is characterized by days being hot and nights being cool. The summers are extremely hot, and rain is not very common here. |
When Does it Snow in Morocco
Morocco experiences snowfall in winter, especially from December to February. However, due to uncertainty in climate conditions nowadays, one can not predict the actual time and snow pattern in Morocco. Snow can be seen in winter, which lasts from December to March.
Snow in December: Generally, Morocco receives its first dust of snow in December. It is not a certain event in December. It may be seen before December, or after December as per the climate situation the country is facing. The Atlas Mountains, the Ifrane town, and Oukaimeden receive significant snowfall in winter. They start racing snow in December.
Snow in January: January is the month with the coldest temperature. Higher elevated regions in Morocco receive snowfall in January. Instead, the Atlas ranges receive snowfall throughout the winter months.
Snow in February: There is a high chance of snow in February. But snow in February is light, like a flurry or like a dust of white snowy flakes if it occurs. There is rain in February in Morocco. These months provide a picturesque sight of the country. No doubt when snow covers, even a lighter dust of it, Morocco looks like a white-painted wonderland.
Snow in March: March is the last month of winter; temperature is rising this month, but it is still possible to receive snowfall in March. The Atlas Mountains peaks can be seen under the white snow in March. High-elevated regions may receive snow even in March.
Where Does it Snow in Morocco
Snow in Rabat
Rabat experiences a Mediterranean climate. Rabat is the capital city of Morocco. Summer in Rabat is warm, and winters are mild. Due to the coastal region, Rabta does not experience severe weather.
The temperature rarely drops to even 10 degrees. It is not unheard of to receive snowfall in Rabat, but it is rare. Snow is expected to occur in Mountain regions. It is one of the major cities of the country along with Casablanca, Marrakech,and Fez.
Snow in Atlas Mountain
In Morocco, the high Atlas and Middle Atlas ranges receive significant snowfall in the winter months, especially the higher elevations. Snowfall is common in the Atlas Mountains.
Snow in Ifrane
Ifrane is often known as the “Switzerland of Morocco”” due to its architecture and landscape. Ifrane is located in the middle Atlas region of Morocco. Ifrane receives snowfall in winter months, especially from December to February.
Ifrane receives snowfall due to its colder temperature and higher elevation in winter. This city is known for its distinct cold weather, which is different from the other cities of Morocco.
Skiing Resort in Morocco
Snowfall contributes to the mountainous landscape and creates opportunities for winter sports such as skiing and snowboarding in popular destinations like Oukaimeden and Michlifen.
Oukaimeden and Michlifen are two popular ski resorts in Morocco. For more information on snow in different countries in Africa like Algeria checkout: does it snow in Algeria.
Skiing in Oukaimeden
Oukaimeden is the highest skiing resort in Morocco. Oukaimeden offers a diverse range of slopes for all levels of visitors, from beginners to advanced skiers and snowboarders. It offers skiing lifts to visitors; they are 7 in number. Oukaimeden is at 2800 meters elevation. Oukaimeden is the highest ski resort in Africa, situated in the High Atlas Mountains near the city of Marrakech.
Skiing in Michlifen
Michlifen ski resort is situated on Middle Atlas Mountain near the town of Ifrane. It also offers a lot of snowy activities like snowboarding and skiing, and other activities. Michlifen’s slopes are more consistent than others. It also offers lifts to its visitors. Michlifen also provides a worthy experience.