Marrakech sits inland in central Morocco, on the Haouz plain at the foot of the snow-capped High Atlas Mountains, at around 460 metres above sea level and approximately 31.63°N, 8.01°W. Cut off from the Atlantic's moderating influence by distance and terrain, it has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen BSh) — very hot, dry summers and mild but cool-nighted winters — with large swings between day and night temperatures and a striking backdrop of Atlas peaks.

Summer, from June to September, is intensely hot and very dry, with July and August the hottest months — average highs around 37–38°C and peaks that can approach 45°C or higher, made worse when the hot, dusty Chergui wind blows off the Sahara. The dry desert air and the altitude do allow the nights to cool off appreciably, but midday heat can be punishing. Rain is essentially nonexistent in these months.

Winter, from December to February, is mild and pleasant by day but cool at night, with January the coolest month — average highs around 18–20°C and lows near 6–8°C, occasionally with light frost on the coldest nights. Sunny days dominate, making winter a fine time to visit, while the High Atlas immediately to the south is reliably snow-covered, a dramatic contrast to the warm city below.

Marrakech is dry, receiving only around 250–280 mm of rain a year — markedly less than coastal Casablanca — concentrated in the cooler months from November to April, with November often the wettest, while summer is effectively rainless. Rain can occasionally arrive in sudden bursts that flood the normally dry riverbeds. Live rainfall, humidity, and pressure readings for the city are shown in the panels above.

Marrakech's climate is defined by its position between desert and mountain: sheltered from the Atlantic by the High Atlas, it bakes under Saharan-influenced summer heat yet enjoys the snow-capped peaks as a near-constant winter backdrop. The hot, dry, dust-laden Chergui (sirocco) is its most disruptive wind, capable of raising temperatures by 10°C and filling the air with desert sand, while the large day-to-night temperature range is a hallmark of its inland, semi-arid setting.

To follow any single measurement in Marrakesh more closely, use our live instruments: the online barometer for atmospheric pressure, the thermometer for temperature, the hygrometer for humidity, the anemometer for wind speed, the wind vane for wind direction, and the rain gauge for rainfall.