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# Morocco in November: What Happens to Marrakech Heat, Atlas Mountain Snow, and Desert Temperatures After October
- URL: https://blog.weathergo.co/morocco-in-november-what-happens-to-marrakech-heat-atlas-mountain-snow-and-desert-temperatures-after-october/
- Published: 2026-11-11T14:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-11T14:00:00.000Z
- Description: November reshapes Morocco's weather map in ways that catch travelers off guard — Marrakech drops to genuinely cool evenings around 10°C while daytime highs stay at a comfortable 22°C, the High Atlas begins accumulating early snow above 2,500 metres, and the Sahara's overnight temperatures near Merzo
- Author: Christopher Piazza
- Tags: travel, weather, destination guide, Morocco, November weather, Marrakech, Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert

## Morocco Weather in November: Sahara, Atlas, and Everything Between

November is the month Morocco stops being a heat destination and starts being a genuinely complicated packing problem. The numbers tell the story: Marrakech averages a daytime high of around 22°C (72°F) but drops to lows of 10°C (50°F) after dark — a 12°C (22°F) swing that catches travelers who packed for September conditions completely off guard. Meanwhile, the High Atlas is seeing its first meaningful snowfall above 2,500m (8,200ft), and the Sahara near Merzouga is delivering overnight temperatures that can dip to 5°C (41°F) even when the afternoon sand is still warm enough to make you regret wearing jeans. For anyone building a multi-stop itinerary that covers Morocco weather in November across the Sahara, Atlas, and imperial cities in a single trip, the planning stakes are higher than most guidebooks suggest.

## Marrakech in November: Finally Comfortable — But Only During the Day

After months of punishing heat — July and August regularly push past 38°C (100°F) — Marrakech in November is legitimately pleasant for sightseeing. Daytime temperatures settle between 20°C and 24°C (68°F and 75°F), which is ideal for walking the medina, browsing the souks, and spending time at the Jardin Majorelle without sweating through a shirt in the first ten minutes.

The catch is the evenings. Once the sun drops — and in November, that happens around 5:45 PM local time — temperatures fall fast. By 9 PM, it is frequently 12°C (54°F) or colder. Outdoor dining in the Djemaa el-Fna, which looks so appealing in the photos, becomes a chilly affair without a proper layer. Travelers who arrive expecting Mediterranean warmth and pack accordingly will be uncomfortable from day one.

Rainfall in Marrakech picks up slightly in November compared to the dry summer months, averaging around 1.2 inches (30mm) for the month spread across roughly five rain days. That is not a washout, but afternoon showers are possible and the city's unpaved medina streets turn muddy quickly. UV index drops to around 4–5 — still worth sunscreen during peak midday hours, but not the summer-level 10–11 that demands serious protection.

### Fes and the Northern Imperial Cities

Fes sits at a slightly higher elevation than Marrakech and runs a few degrees cooler. November highs average around 18°C (64°F), with lows dropping to 7°C (45°F). The city also sees more rainfall — typically around 2.4 inches (60mm) across the month — and the narrow medina lanes can get genuinely slick. Fes in November is worth the visit, but the medina's steep alleys in wet conditions are not the place for smooth-soled shoes.

Chefchaouen, in the Rif Mountains at around 600m (1,970ft) elevation, runs cooler still: expect highs of 15°C (59°F) and lows that can touch 5°C (41°F). The famous blue walls photograph beautifully against gray November skies, but pack accordingly — this is proper jacket weather, not layering-a-light-scarf weather.

## The High Atlas in November: Early Snow, Real Consequences

The Atlas Mountains are where November's weather shift becomes genuinely serious. Above 2,500m (8,200ft), snowfall begins accumulating in earnest during November. Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak at 4,167m (13,671ft), is under winter conditions by mid-month. Summit attempts in November are possible for experienced mountaineers with proper gear, but this is no longer a hiking-in-trail-runners situation.

The Tizi n'Tichka pass connecting Marrakech to Ouarzazate sits at 2,260m (7,415ft). It typically stays open in November, but after snowfall it can close temporarily. Anyone planning to drive this route — particularly to access Aït Benhaddou or continue toward the desert — should check road conditions actively, not just glance at a forecast. A single overnight snowstorm can delay a transit by a full day.

At valley elevations around 1,000–1,500m (3,280–4,920ft), villages like Imlil see daytime temperatures of 12–15°C (54–59°F) and nights well below freezing. Trekking in the lower Atlas valleys in November is feasible and genuinely scenic — the light is excellent, crowds are thin, and the landscape takes on a starkness that the summer season obscures. Just understand that the weather can shift from clear to snowy in a matter of hours at elevation.

## Merzouga and the Sahara: Warm Days, Cold Nights, No Middle Ground

The Sahara near Merzouga operates on its own thermal logic. November days are warm — afternoon highs around 22–25°C (72–77°F) — but the desert radiates heat back into the sky the moment the sun drops, and nighttime temperatures near the Erg Chebbi dunes can fall to 5°C (41°F), occasionally lower. That is a 20°C (36°F) daily swing in extreme cases.

Camel treks timed around sunset and sunrise — the standard desert itinerary — mean spending extended time outdoors in the coldest hours. A lightweight sleeping bag rated to at least 0°C (32°F) and thermal base layers are not optional extras for November desert camping; they are the difference between a memorable experience and a miserable, sleepless night. Many desert camps provide blankets, but the quality varies and counting on them is a gamble.

Sand conditions in November are generally favorable — the summer winds have died down, the air is clearer, and the brutal midday heat is gone. For pure desert photography and dune walking, November is arguably the best month in the calendar.

## Packing for All Three Zones in One Bag

The core challenge of a Marrakech–Atlas–Sahara itinerary in November is that the same person needs to be equipped for 24°C (75°F) medina afternoons, sub-zero alpine mornings, and cold desert nights. That range cannot be solved with a single jacket and a wishful attitude.

A workable packing framework:

- **Base layers:** Two lightweight thermal tops. These handle desert nights, Atlas mornings, and cold Marrakech evenings when worn under other layers.
- **Mid layer:** A packable down or synthetic insulated jacket. Compresses into a daypack, handles everything from Fes evenings to Toubkal foothills.
- **Outer layer:** A waterproof shell or rain jacket. Marrakech rain is infrequent but the Atlas can deliver snow and sleet with little warning.
- **Trousers:** At least one pair of warm trousers — jeans are acceptable but slow to dry if wet. Lightweight hiking trousers that convert or layer are more practical.
- **Footwear:** Comfortable walking shoes for city use, and proper hiking boots with ankle support and grip if any Atlas trekking is planned. The medina's cobblestones are unforgiving on thin-soled shoes.
- **Sun protection:** Still necessary. Desert UV is significant even in November, and the Atlas snowfields reflect UV back at levels that can burn quickly.

Conditions can shift between zones fast. Before crossing from Marrakech toward the mountains or desert, check the [WeatherGO app](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1271073320?pt=96038811&ct=weathergo-blog&mt=8&ref=blog.weathergo.co) for local forecasts specific to each elevation — a sunny Marrakech day and an icy Tizi n'Tichka pass can coexist on the same afternoon.

## Practical Takeaways

- Marrakech evenings in November regularly drop to 10–12°C (50–54°F). A warm layer for after-dark is non-negotiable, not optional.
- The High Atlas above 2,500m (8,200ft) is in early winter conditions. Tizi n'Tichka pass can close after snowfall — build buffer days into any cross-Atlas itinerary.
- Sahara nights near Merzouga drop to 5°C (41°F) or below. Bring a proper sleeping layer regardless of what your camp claims to provide.
- November rainfall is real in Fes and the north — sealed bags for electronics and waterproof layers are worth carrying.
- November is genuinely good timing for Morocco: crowds are down, prices are lower than peak spring, and the temperatures across all three zones are manageable with the right gear. The weather is not the obstacle. Under-packing is.