Ouarzazate, the gateway to the Sahara, enjoys a subtropical desert climate with very hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters. The city sees dramatic temperature swings between day and night, minimal rainfall, and abundant sunshine year-round. Its unique setting between the desert and the Atlas Mountains makes Ouarzazate a striking destination for adventure and film lovers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Ouarzazate’s climate is defined by its desert location and proximity to the High Atlas Mountains. Summers (June–September) are extremely hot and dry, with average daytime highs of 34–39°C and nighttime lows of 19–23°C. July is typically the hottest month, and temperatures can exceed 40°C during heatwaves. Despite the intense daytime heat, nights cool off considerably, sometimes dropping by more than 15°C. Rainfall is almost nonexistent in summer, and the sun shines for 10–11 hours per day. The UV index is very high, and humidity is low, making sun protection and hydration essential. Winds from the mountains can bring sudden gusts and, occasionally, sandstorms.
Winters (December–February) are mild and mostly sunny, with daytime highs of 16–18°C and nighttime lows of 2–5°C. Frost is possible on the coldest nights, but snow is extremely rare at city level. Rainfall is scarce, with only 10–20 mm per month, usually falling in brief showers. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most pleasant times, with warm days (22–30°C), cool nights, and occasional short, sharp showers that bring out desert wildflowers. Annual precipitation is very low, averaging 110–130 mm, and Ouarzazate enjoys over 3,400 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally light to moderate but can be brisk during storms or in late autumn. The city’s climate supports year-round sightseeing, but the best comfort is found in spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Ouarzazate, Morocco | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 15 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 32 | 35 | 34 | 29 | 25 | 19 | 15 | 35 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 3 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 20 | 23 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 2 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 57 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 30 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 37 | 38 | 35 | 30 | 28 | 24 | 17 | 20 | 29 | 35 | 39 | 40 | 31 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 8 | 12 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Average UV index | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
The best time to visit Ouarzazate is from March to May and September to November, when temperatures are warm but not extreme, nights are comfortable, and occasional showers bring out desert blooms. These seasons are perfect for outdoor adventures, sightseeing, and exploring the region’s cinematic landscapes without the intense summer heat.
The least favourable time to visit Ouarzazate is from June to August, when daytime temperatures regularly exceed 38°C and the sun is relentless. While the city is still beautiful, the extreme heat can make outdoor activities uncomfortable, especially at midday. Winter is mild but can bring cold nights and occasional brisk winds.
Ouarzazate has a subtropical desert climate with very hot, dry summers and mild, sunny winters. The city experiences dramatic temperature swings between day and night, minimal rainfall, and abundant sunshine all year.
The best time to visit is in spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November), when temperatures are warm but not extreme, nights are pleasant, and the weather is ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Summer highs in Ouarzazate typically reach 34–39°C, with July and August being the hottest months. Temperatures can exceed 40°C during heatwaves, but nights are cooler thanks to the desert climate.
Rainfall is very low in Ouarzazate, averaging 110–130 mm per year. Most rain falls in brief showers during winter and spring, while summers are almost completely dry.
Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms or in late autumn and winter. Gusts from the High Atlas Mountains can bring sandstorms, especially in spring.
Pack light, breathable clothing for daytime, layers for cool nights, sun protection, and a hat. In spring and autumn, bring a jacket for breezy evenings. Always carry water and sun cream, especially in summer.
Snow is extremely rare in Ouarzazate itself, but nearby mountains may have snow in winter. Frost can occur on the coldest nights, but most winter days are sunny and mild.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (35.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (14.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 24.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (23 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (3.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 13 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (8.9 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (2 mm). Over the whole year there are 56.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (4.2 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (1.3 days). Over the whole year there are 30.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (2 mm). The months with the least snowfall are March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 3 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is September (0.1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are March, April, May, October, November and December (0 days). Over the whole year there are 0.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (39.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (17.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 31 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is May (12.6 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is December (6.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 10 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is July (11.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (6.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 9.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 10 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 6.9 h). Over the whole year there are 9.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.2.
