Morocco Weather in January: What to Expect and Where to Go

Morocco weather in January is cool, mostly sunny in the south and wetter in the north, and it varies more by region than most visitors expect. According to 1991–2020 climate averages from Climates to Travel, Marrakech reaches about 19°C in the afternoon and falls to about 6°C at night, while Ifrane in the Middle Atlas drops to around -1°C. Tangier gets the most rain of the main cities, with about 100 mm over 10 rainy days.

That makes January a good month for city sightseeing and desert trips, and a weaker one for swimming, since the Atlantic and Mediterranean are only about 16–18°C. This guide covers temperatures by city, snow in the Atlas, what to pack and where to go, so you can match your route to the weather. Every figure comes from the sources linked in each section, and real conditions change from year to year.

Last updated: November 2026

At a glance

What Is the Weather Like in Morocco in January?

January is one of the coolest months in Morocco, with mild days, cold nights and clear differences between the coast, the cities, the mountains and the desert. Across the stations in the Climates to Travel dataset (1991–2020 averages), the average January low is about 7°C and the average high about 17°C, with roughly 6.5 hours of sunshine a day and about 10.5 hours of daylight.

What that means in practice depends on where you are:

• Atlantic and northern coast (Casablanca, Rabat, Tangier): mild but the wettest part of the country, with the most rain and the greyest skies.
• Inland cities (Marrakech, Fes): pleasant afternoons and chilly nights, with Marrakech drier and sunnier than Fes.
• South of the Atlas (Ouarzazate, the Sahara side): very little rain, clear skies and big swings between warm afternoons and cold nights.
• Mountains (Ifrane, the High Atlas): cold, with frost at night and snow possible.
• Agadir and the southern Atlantic coast: the warmest and driest of the coastal options.

The exact numbers for each city are in the table in the next section. Sources differ by a degree or two, because each uses a different station, period or method, so treat any single figure as a guide rather than a forecast.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Morocco?

Yes, if you plan for it: January suits cities, culture and the desert, and it is a weaker choice for beaches and for travelers who dislike cold nights. Travel sites do not agree on this. The Best Time to Visit rates January as low season and calls it a relatively poor month overall, while recommending the dry south for travelers who want to avoid rain.

What works in January

• Dry weather in the south. Ouarzazate and Errachidia average only 2 rainy days in January (Climates to Travel), which makes desert and kasbah routes reliable.
• Comfortable sightseeing. Marrakech averages about 19°C in the afternoon, which is easier for walking the medina than summer heat.
• Low season. Fewer visitors usually means quieter sites, though we have no January visitor numbers to quote.
• Snow in the mountains. January is also the start of the ski season at Oukaïmeden. See our guide to skiing in Morocco.

What to weigh against it

• Cold nights almost everywhere inland, and below freezing in the mountains.
• Rain in the north. Tangier averages 10 rainy days and about 100 mm in January.
• Short days. About 10.5 hours of daylight, so start sightseeing early.
• Cold sea. Roughly 16–18°C on the coast, which is too cold for most swimmers.

Public holidays in January 2027 (per Calendarific, dates can change with official announcements): New Year’s Day on 1 January, the Anniversary of the Independence Manifesto on 11 January, and Amazigh New Year on 14 January. Check opening hours if you plan to book something on those days.

If you are also considering December, read our guide to the Sahara Desert in December, and for the wider season see our Morocco winter travel guide.

How Cold Is Morocco in January?

Morocco in January is cold at night but mild by day: average afternoon highs are 16–21°C in most cities, while average lows range from -1°C in the mountains to about 9°C on the Atlantic coast. The table below uses 1991–2020 averages from Climates to Travel.

A few things stand out:

• Agadir is the warmest of the main cities, with an average high of 20.7°C and only 5 rainy days.
• Marrakech and Fes feel quite different at night. Marrakech averages 5.9°C, Fes 3.8°C, and Fes has more rain.
• The south is dry but cold after dark. Ouarzazate (about 1,150 m) and Errachidia (about 1,035 m) average only 2.4°C and 2.8°C at night.
• The Middle Atlas is a different climate. Ifrane averages 9.4°C by day and drops below freezing at night, with the most rain on the list.

What about the Sahara? The table has no Merzouga station. The weather site Best Date Weather lists Merzouga at about 18°C by day with a range of 4–18°C, rain on about 3% of days and 7.2 hours of sunshine. That page uses modelled (ERA5 reanalysis) data rather than a weather station, so treat it as an estimate. Errachidia, the main city in the same region, gives a similar picture in the table above, with a January low of 2.8°C.

Does It Snow in Morocco in January?

Yes, it can snow in the Atlas Mountains in January, but not in the places most visitors stay. Marrakech (about 460 m) averages a 19.2°C afternoon high in January, and the coastal cities have warmer nights, so city trips are about cool, sometimes wet weather rather than snow (Climates to Travel).

Snow belongs to the mountains:

• High Atlas and Oukaïmeden. The main ski area is about 45 km south of Marrakech. Snowtrex puts the best skiing from early January to mid-March, and Wikivoyage names January and February. Modelled data from Best Date Weather shows a January daytime high of about 6°C and a range of -2°C to 6°C.
• Mount Toubkal. Wikivoyage gives its height as 4,176 m, so winter conditions there call for proper mountain experience and equipment.
• Middle Atlas. Ifrane (1,650 m) averages a January low of -1°C and a high of 9.4°C, and Michlifen, a small ski area in the same mountains, is listed by Snowtrex with 1 km of piste and two lifts.

Snow varies from year to year, so check live conditions on Snow-Forecast and ask your driver or hotel about the road before you set out. For the full resort guide, read our article on skiing in Morocco. If you prefer walking to skiing, see our guides to hiking in the Atlas and the best hiking trails in Morocco.

What Should You Pack for Morocco in January?

Pack layers: you will often start the day in a jacket, strip down by the afternoon and need warm clothes again after sunset. What you add depends on where you are going.

Figures from Climates to Travel and Best Date Weather (modelled data for Merzouga).

Two practical points. First, if you are sleeping in a desert camp, ask the camp in advance what bedding and heating it provides, and bring your own warm layers regardless. Second, sunlight is stronger than people expect even in winter, so keep sun protection in your day bag.

For a longer checklist, see our Sahara desert packing guide.

Where Should You Go in Morocco in January?

For January, base yourself in Marrakech or Agadir, add the dry south for the desert, and keep the rainy north for another season. The figures below come from Climates to Travel unless noted.

• Marrakech and the Atlas foothills. About 19°C by day and only 30 mm of rain make it the easiest January base. It is also the starting point for the Oukaïmeden ski area and for desert tours. Browse our tours from Marrakech or the 5-day desert tour from Marrakech.
• The Sahara and the south (Merzouga, Ouarzazate). Very little rain and clear skies, but cold nights, so pack warm layers. See our 3-day Sahara tour from Marrakech to Merzouga and our Sahara in December guide for what a winter night in camp is like.
• Agadir and the southern coast. The warmest city on the list, with a 20.7°C average high and 5 rainy days. The sea is still only about 18°C, so think sunny walks and terraces rather than swimming. See our 5-day Sahara tour from Agadir.
• Essaouira. The Best Time to Visit lists an average high of 19°C and about 8 hours of sunshine a day, though that dataset differs from the one above.
• Fes and the imperial cities. Fes averages 16.2°C by day and 3.8°C at night, with some rain, so pack a waterproof layer. The medina suits cool weather well, and our free walking tour of Fes is an easy way to see it. More options: tours from Fes.
• Oukaïmeden for skiing. If you want snow, January is in season. Read our guide to skiing in Morocco.

Think twice about the northern coast. Tangier averages about 100 mm of rain over 10 days in January, and Casablanca and Rabat are also wetter than Marrakech. If your route includes them, keep the plan flexible.

Morocco Weather in January: Frequently Asked Questions

Morocco weather in January is cool rather than cold in the daytime and cold at night, with a clear split between the wetter north, the sunny and dry south, and snow in the Atlas. Marrakech, Agadir and the desert make the most reliable January bases, the northern coast is the wettest, and layers solve most problems. Real conditions vary by year, so check the forecast a few days before you travel.