Weather in Morocco in January

January climate overview

Daytime highs across Morocco in January run from 17.6°C (Marrakech) to 20.0°C (Agadir). Even in Agadir only 5% of days reach 25°C. Nights average 6.7°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Marrakech fall to 0°C or below.

Rainfall in January

Expect around 4 rainy days (1 mm or more) in January, with Agadir the driest (3 days) and Marrakech the wettest (5 days). The wettest January at Agadir between 1991 and 2020 was 1996 with 278 mm; the driest was 1992 with 0 mm.

Sea temperature

The sea averages 17.0°C around Morocco in January. That is cold for swimming without a wetsuit.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 6.6 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 10.2 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).

January against the rest of the year in Morocco

January is the 12th warmest month of the twelve in Morocco. It is 1.0°C cooler than December and 1.6°C warmer in February. The hottest month here is July (34°C) and the coolest January (19°C).

Which part of Morocco in January?

• Most sunshine: Agadir, 6.9 h a day.
• Driest: Agadir, about 3 rainy days.
• Warmest sea: Agadir, 17°C.
• Hottest: Agadir, 20°C by day.
• Coolest (better for walking and cities): Marrakech, 18°C.

What to pack for Morocco in January

Based on the averages: light layers - warm in the sun, cooler in the shade; a warm layer for evenings, when it drops to around 7°C; a light waterproof for the odd shower.

Similar weather elsewhere in January

Within 1.5°C of Morocco's January daytime average: Gran Canaria (20°C, sea 20°C), Hurghada (20°C, sea 23°C), La Gomera (20°C, sea 20°C), Hanoi (20°C), Tenerife (20°C, sea 20°C). See the full ranking for January.

Agadir: the warmer choice, but not guaranteed beach heat

Choose Agadir if warmth is your main priority. Its average daytime temperature of 20°C makes lighter clothing practical during the warmer part of the day, while nights around 10°C still call for a jumper or jacket. It is also the less rainy choice, averaging 3 rainy days, so there is less reason to build your plans around wet weather. The catch is the sea: at 17°C, it is likely to feel chilly for a leisurely swim. Think of January here as a month for spending time outdoors in mild weather, rather than a holiday built around hot afternoons and long swims.

Marrakech: mild afternoons, cold evenings

Marrakech is a good fit if you want to spend your days outdoors without strong heat, but pack for a clear change after sunset. Average daytime temperatures reach 18°C, then fall to 3°C at night. Layers are more useful than a suitcase of summer clothes: you can shed them as the day warms up and put them back on for dinner or an early start. With 5 rainy days on average, leave some flexibility for wet spells rather than expecting every day to stay dry. Choose Marrakech for mild daytime conditions; choose Agadir instead if cold evenings would spoil the trip.