Climate Of Morocco

Map climates of Morocco

The climate in Morocco can be divided into seven sub-zones, determined by the different influences that the country suffers: influences Ocean , Mediterranean , mountain , continental and Saharan.

The Plains North Atlantic

Maamora the forest (near Rabat)

Chart ombrothermic Tangier

This area corresponds more or less landlocked Atlantic peninsula from Tangier to El-Jadida. She knows a Mediterranean climate with oceanic influence. It is highly subject to interference from ocean the Atlantic during the rainy season which begins in October and can last until May in the far north. In summer meanwhile is dry and sunny, but that does not exist benches morning mist and dew at night, quite common during this period. However, the variability of rainfall is very high: they are divided in half from north to south. If the total annual rainfall is 810 mm in Tangier , he was 740 at Larache , 620 in Kenitra , 550 to Rabat and only 400 to Casablanca. As the temperatures are rather homogeneous, and the current softening Atlantic climate, winter is mild and summers warmer. The average temperature in January is 12-13 C with the nights can be chilly. As summer temperatures, they hover around 23 C (on hot summer days are relatively rare).

This climate was favorable to these regions of large agricultural areas such as the plain of the Gharb Basin and Loukkos. There are also forests of oaks , cork oaks and eucalyptus.

From the plains of the Souss Basin Doukkala

Arganeraie between Essaouira and Agadir

Chart ombrothermic Agadir

This area extends from Safi south of Agadir. It includes plain Doukkala , the coastline of Essaouira Basin and Souss. The climate of this region is a worsening climate of the plains north Atlantic, with increasing aridity towards the south, due Saharan influences that begin to be felt. The accumulated rainfall is 350 mm in Safi, 290 mm and 250 mm in Essaouira to Agadir. The rainy season is less than six months and focuses mainly between November and March. As on the Atlantic coast north, the mist and dew are common and sunshine record is over 300 days of sun per year in Agadir. Temperatures are strongly influenced by the front tradewinds blowing throughout the year. They vary, therefore, very little between winter and summer, and ranged from 14 to 16 C in January and 19-22 C in July. However, this region may suffer occasionally lift of Saharan air that can push up temperatures above 40 C.

In this region pushes the famous tree endemic in southern Morocco: the argan tree which offer all the elements conducive to its development. The region is also famous for its crops of citrus concentrated mainly in the plain of Souss.

The interior plateaus

Tensift valley (central)

This zone forms a crescent from Fez to the north-east to Marrakech in the south-west. It includes the plains and plateaus of Sass of Chaouia, Abda and Haouz. It is actually a degradation of the two previous climates with continentality relatively sharp. In fact, this area could be divided into two, arid in the south closer to the climate of Souss and a more humid in the north closer to the climate of the northern plains. Indeed if Fez and Meknes receive between 500 and 600 mm of rain per year that amount drops drastically below 300 mm south of Settat including 250 mm to Marrakech. The continentality of the region has two consequences:
1) low humidity, which gives that famous dazzling blue sky in the red city Marrakech ;
2) the temperature ranges are very important both in the year than during the same day. The average winter temperatures range from 9 to 11 C in summer and rise up to 26 to 28 C. But you also know that the gel is relatively common in winter and hot summer days often.

If the landscapes in the north of this area are reminiscent of the Meseta of Spain, in the south they are taking a more or less steppe ( steppe in jujube trees, thorny bushes ...). It also cultivates the vine generally in the Northwest and olive trees mainly in the South.

The Mediterranean coast and the Rif

Rif Mountains

Chart ombrothermic Oujda

This area comprises the coastal Mediterranean and a mountainous hinterland: the Rif (more than 2 000m above sea level). To the east, near the Algerian border , the terrain descends to the plains of low Moulouya. The climate is typically Mediterranean coastline with a mild winter (10 to 12 C) and watered, coupled with a hot and dry (24 to 26 C). The relief of the hinterland are much wetter with snow and cool temperatures in winter. Rainfall may reach 2000 mm per year over the reliefs so that they are only 300 to 600 mm on the coast. Again there is a contrast between the west which is more prone to depression came from the Atlantic and therefore more humid, and is more sheltered and therefore drier. We spend an average of 600 mm in Al Hoceima to about 350 mm to Oujda.

Chain Rif is relatively green and luxuriant pines grow near the coast and mountains are covered with oaks , of cedar or even trees. In the east it is drier and the scrub pines of Aleppo. This region is also known for growing cannabis.

The Middle and High Atlas

Tislit Lake in the High Atlas

Chart ombrothermic Ifrane

The Middle Atlas and High Atlas mountains form a south-west north-east, with altitudes ranging from 2500 m to 4000 m. The highest point is the Jebel Toubkal (4165 m) highest peak in North Africa. It forms a barrier between the Mediterranean and Morocco Morocco desert. The climate is mountainous in the central part of the chain, it undergoes oceanic and Mediterranean influences on the northern slopes exposed to the depressions from the Atlantic, on the sheltered south side, it is influenced Sahara. If the Middle Atlas receives between 1000 and 1500 mm average annual precipitation (1200 mm Ifrane ), the High Atlas him that it receives from 600 to 900 mm or 400 mm only for the more sheltered slopes. The falling snow is abundant during the winter and can last until May. During the summer the area is frequently affected by episodes stormy. As for temperatures, they are very harsh winter with frosts permanent (up to -18 C), while during the summer are quite pleasant with 20 C on average.

The scenery is beautiful and very varied in this region. It has a biodiversity of great wealth. The Middle Atlas is covered with forests of cedar , while the magnificent oak and Aleppo pine trees cover the slopes of the High Atlas. On sheltered slopes there is a more sparse vegetation composed of more exotic species like the cedar , the juniper , the carob tree , the Pistacia atlantica , etc.. There are also many rivers and the waterfalls breathtaking, most rivers begin in these massifs.

The Anti-Atlas mountains and valleys pre-Saharan

Dades Valley (Southern Morocco)

Chart ombrothermic Ouarzazate

This area consists of foothills Saharan Middle and High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas which is the northernmost branch of the Moroccan Atlas. The climate is desert with influences from the mountains, was given the altitude. The area receives between 100 and 200 mm of precipitation (120mm in Ouarzazate). Temperatures are very contrasting average of 6 to 9 C in winter with frequent frosts, and from 27 to 30 C in summer with peaks near 50 C.

The steppe is the only vegetation that grows in these regions except along the many valleys and wadis or men have constructed green oasis stretching for several kilometers (Dades, Draa ...).

The field Sahara

Dunes of Merzouga (Algerian border)

Chart ombrothermic Dakhla

This area is located south of the massif of the atlas. The climate is typically desert. Rainfall is almost absent less than 100 mm per year (80 mm in Errachidia, 30 mm in Dakhla). Temperatures are very mixed (14 C on average in winter to 35 C in summer). On the Atlantic coast the temperature ranges are lower than 18 C in winter to 23 C in summer. In the desert nights can be chilly in winter.

The vegetation is very rare, is the domain of ergs (dune desert) and regs (desert of stones).

Related articles

• Geography of Morocco

• Portal Weather
• Morocco Portal

Leave a Reply