Morocco in December: Weather, Crowds and What to Do
December is a mild month in the south and a wet one in the north. This guide gives the official December averages for eight Moroccan cities and what they mean for your route.
Source for every figure: World Weather Information Service (WMO), worldweather.wmo.int, monthly averages for 1991-2020 supplied by Morocco’s national weather service, checked 2026-10-23. We found no official source for crowds or prices in December, so we make no claims about them. Full tables for the other months are in the Morocco weather guide.
December averages by city
| City | Low (C) | High (C) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 7.3 | 20.2 | 24.2 |
| Fes | 5.2 | 17.2 | 62 |
| Rabat | 8.8 | 18.6 | 90.3 |
| Casablanca | 10.5 | 18.9 | 64.1 |
| Tangier | 10 | 17.8 | 114.3 |
| Agadir | 10.1 | 22.1 | 47.4 |
| Ouarzazate | 3.2 | 17.7 | 9.5 |
| Errachidia | 3.5 | 16.7 | 8 |
These are averages across many years, so any single December can be colder or wetter.
Marrakech and Fes
Marrakech averages a December high of 20.2 C and a low of 7.3 C, with 24.2 mm of rain. That is milder than its summer highs of 37.7 C, but evenings are cool, so pack layers. Fes is colder and wetter: 17.2 C by day, 5.2 C at night and 62 mm of rain. Our Fes travel guide and Marrakech travel guide have the transport and entry prices.
The coast and the north
Rabat (90.3 mm), Casablanca (64.1 mm) and Tangier (114.3 mm) are the wettest places in the dataset in December, and Tangier has the most. Highs are between 17.8 and 18.9 C. If you are heading north, take a rain layer and check the ferry or coach times, which we cover in the Tangier travel guide.
Agadir for winter sun
Agadir averages a December high of 22.1 C and a low of 10.1 C, with 47.4 mm of rain, the warmest of the coastal cities in the dataset. In January the high is 21.1 C. See the Agadir travel guide.
The desert and the south
Ouarzazate averages 17.7 C by day and 3.2 C at night in December, with 9.5 mm of rain. Errachidia, in the same region as Merzouga, averages 16.7 C by day and 3.5 C at night, and January is colder, at 2 C. Errachidia is not Merzouga, which may be more extreme at night, so bring warm layers for a desert camp. See the Sahara desert tour guide.
December in context: November to February
Average daily highs (C):
| City | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 23.1 | 20.2 | 19.1 | 20.7 |
| Fes | 20.2 | 17.2 | 16 | 17.3 |
| Rabat | 21.1 | 18.6 | 17.4 | 18.2 |
| Casablanca | 21 | 18.9 | 17.6 | 18.1 |
| Tangier | 20.2 | 17.8 | 16.8 | 17.3 |
| Agadir | 24.1 | 22.1 | 21.1 | 22 |
| Ouarzazate | 21.7 | 17.7 | 17.3 | 19.3 |
| Errachidia | 20.6 | 16.7 | 15.9 | 18.2 |
Average daily lows (C):
| City | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 10.7 | 7.3 | 5.9 | 7.6 |
| Fes | 8.1 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 4.4 |
| Rabat | 10.8 | 8.8 | 7.2 | 7.8 |
| Casablanca | 12.8 | 10.5 | 8.9 | 9.7 |
| Tangier | 12.3 | 10 | 8.2 | 8.8 |
| Agadir | 12.9 | 10.1 | 8.4 | 10.2 |
| Ouarzazate | 7.2 | 3.2 | 1.8 | 4.5 |
| Errachidia | 7.7 | 3.5 | 2 | 4.6 |
Average rain (mm):
| City | Nov | Dec | Jan | Feb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 29.8 | 24.2 | 25 | 25.7 |
| Fes | 65.6 | 62 | 60.1 | 54.3 |
| Rabat | 94.3 | 90.3 | 80.7 | 60.5 |
| Casablanca | 82.5 | 64.1 | 63.9 | 49.7 |
| Tangier | 116.9 | 114.3 | 89.8 | 65.6 |
| Agadir | 42.3 | 47.4 | 31.6 | 28.6 |
| Ouarzazate | 7.7 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 14.2 |
| Errachidia | 16.3 | 8 | 10 | 12.6 |
Across the eight cities, December is not the coldest month for highs everywhere: Fes has 17.2 C in December and 16 C in January, and Marrakech 20.2 C and 19.1 C. The pattern is similar from year to year, but any single winter can differ, so use these as a guide.
Short days: how much daylight to plan around
December has the shortest days of the year. Calculated from each city’s latitude for 21 December (sunrise to sunset, with the standard refraction correction), daylight lasts about 10h05 in Marrakech, 10h11 in Agadir, 10h08 in Ouarzazate, 9h55 in Casablanca, 9h53 in Fes and Rabat and 9h44 in Tangier. These are our own calculations, not official timetables.
In practice this means fitting your sightseeing into roughly ten hours. The Jardin Majorelle garden is open 8:00 to 17:30 with last entry at 17:00 per its official site, so a late start can cut into the visit, and outdoor sights are easier in the morning.
Three December routes, matched to the averages
Mild days: Marrakech and Agadir
Marrakech has a 20.2 C high and 24.2 mm of rain, and Agadir 22.1 C and 47.4 mm. This pairing has the warmest highs in the dataset and fits a short break. Take layers for the Marrakech evenings (7.3 C average low).
Cities and the desert: Marrakech, Ouarzazate and a camp
Days are mild (Ouarzazate 17.7 C, Errachidia 16.7 C) but nights are cold, at 3.2 C and 3.5 C on average, so a desert camp needs warm layers and a good blanket. Rain is low (9.5 and 8 mm), which suits the long road days of a desert route.
The north: Fes, Chefchaouen and Tangier
Expect the wettest weather in the dataset: Fes 62 mm and Tangier 114.3 mm, with highs of 17.2 and 17.8 C. Pack a rain layer and keep the schedule flexible. See the Fes, Chefchaouen and Tangier route for transport.
Planning notes for December
- Pack for a range, not a single temperature: lows from 3.2 C in Ouarzazate to 10.5 C in Casablanca on these averages.
- Check opening hours on the day. For example, the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca says its hours change in Ramadan, so check fmh2.ma if your trip overlaps.
- The Jardin Majorelle garden is open daily from 8:00 to 17:30 per its ticket site, which matters for shorter winter days. See the Majorelle ticket guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Morocco warm in December?
It depends on where. Agadir averages a 22.1 C high, Marrakech 20.2 C and Fes 17.2 C.
Does it rain in December?
More on the north and west coast: Tangier averages 114.3 mm and Rabat 90.3 mm, against 24.2 mm in Marrakech.
Is the desert cold in December?
Nights are cold: 3.5 C on average in Errachidia, and 3.2 C in Ouarzazate. Days are mild at about 17 C.
Where is the best winter sun in Morocco?
Agadir has the warmest December average high in the dataset, 22.1 C, with 10.1 C nights.
How many hours of daylight are there in December?
About 9h45 to 10h10 on 21 December, depending on the city, by our calculation from latitude.
What should I pack for December?
Layers for a range of lows from 3.2 C in Ouarzazate to 10.5 C in Casablanca, a rain layer for the north and warm clothes for desert nights.
Sources checked
Checked on 27 October 2026.
- WMO World Weather Information Service, monthly averages 1991 to 2020 supplied by Morocco’s national weather service (checked 23 October 2026)
- Jardin Majorelle, official visit page (hours)
- Daylight hours: our own calculation from city latitudes for 21 December
