Your December weather guide
MildWeather in Marrakech in December
December is a good choice for Marrakech if you want mild daytime weather rather than dependable heat. Average highs of 18.8°C make walking around comfortable, but night-time lows of 4.7°C mean you will need proper warm layers after dark. With about 6.2 hours of sunshine a day, there is scope for time outdoors. The catch for a UK traveller is the contrast between a pleasant afternoon and a genuinely cold evening, plus some rain.
Long-term climate averages for Marrakesh, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Marrakech, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Marrakesh.
- Average daytime high
- 18.8°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 23°C
- Average night-time low
- 4.7°C
- coldest 10% of nights: 1°C or lower
- Compared with London
- +11.1°C
- London averages 7.7°C in December
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 6.2h
- 63% of 9.9 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 5
- 26 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 71%
- Days over 25°C
- 2%
- none over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 27.5°C
- 2010-12-05
- Record low 1991-2020
- -2.5°C
- 2006-12-23
- Flight from London
- ≈ 3 h 36 min
- 2263 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How December compares
December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Marrakech and ranks 56th of 134 destinations we compare for December - see where else is hot in December. Within Morocco it is 2nd of 2 (Morocco in December). Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Marrakech is 11.1°C warmer by day and 2.0°C warmer at night.
Daytime and night-time in December
The typical December day in Marrakech peaks at 18.8°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 22.5°C or more. Roughly 1 in 45 days top 25°C. Nights average 4.7°C; one night in ten drops to 0.9°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 27.5°C (2010-12-05) and the coldest night -2.5°C (2006-12-23).
Rain in December
Some rain (4-8 rainy days): about 5 days with 1 mm or more, 26 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 1996 with 92 mm, the driest 2015 with 0 mm. Humidity averages 71%.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 9.9 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 08:24 and sets about 18:30 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 38%.
Is December a good time to visit Marrakech?
December is not the strongest month here: mild days. The best months for Marrakech on our scoring are September, May, April; months averaging 25°C or more: May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct.
Milder than London, but not a hot-weather holiday
Marrakech offers a clear step up from London's December daytime high of 7.7°C, averaging 11.1°C warmer. That makes it a sensible choice if your priority is spending time outside without summer heat. Warmer days can reach 22.5°C or more, so a light top may be comfortable during the warmest part of the afternoon. However, days reaching 25°C are unusual, and December sits towards the cooler end of Marrakech's year. Plan around walking and relaxed outdoor breaks rather than expecting to spend every afternoon sunbathing. It suits travellers who prefer mild conditions and do not mind adjusting their clothing as the day changes.
Pack for cold evenings as well as mild afternoons
The biggest packing mistake would be treating this as a warm-weather trip throughout the day. Average nights fall to 4.7°C, while the coldest 10% reach 0.9°C or lower. Bring a warm jacket, a jumper and long trousers, even if the daytime forecast looks inviting. Layers let you dress down during a mild afternoon without being caught out when temperatures drop. If you like eating or sitting outdoors in the evening, be prepared to move inside when it feels too cold. Check that your accommodation has heating rather than assuming daytime warmth will keep your room comfortable overnight.
Keep outdoor plans flexible for rain and shorter days
Rain is a possibility rather than a reason to rule December out: about 5 days receive measurable rain during the month. Pack a light waterproof and leave room to rearrange outdoor plans, rather than expecting an entirely dry stay. Sunshine averages about 6.2 hours within 9.9 hours of daylight, so make use of the brighter part of the day. Late morning and afternoon are sensible times for longer periods outside if you want milder temperatures. The balance works well for a flexible city break, but less well if your holiday depends on uninterrupted sunshine or being comfortable outdoors late into the evening.
A little perspective
Marrakech through the year
December is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17.6°C | 3.2°C | 6.2 | 33 | 5 | 0% |
| February | 19.4°C | 4.7°C | 6.6 | 30 | 6 | 8% |
| March | 22.3°C | 7.2°C | 6.9 | 39 | 6 | 30% |
| Aprilbest | 24.2°C | 9.7°C | 7.6 | 34 | 5 | 45% |
| Maybest | 27.9°C | 12.6°C | 8.4 | 16 | 4 | 68% |
| June | 32.1°C | 15.8°C | 11.0 | 7 | 3 | 96% |
| July | 36.1°C | 18.5°C | 11.7 | 4 | 1 | 100% |
| August | 35.8°C | 19.0°C | 10.6 | 7 | 3 | 100% |
| Septemberbest | 31.1°C | 16.5°C | 8.4 | 12 | 3 | 94% |
| October | 27.1°C | 12.9°C | 6.6 | 23 | 4 | 67% |
| November | 21.8°C | 7.8°C | 6.4 | 35 | 5 | 25% |
| DecemberSelected | 18.8°C | 4.7°C | 6.2 | 26 | 5 | 2% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in December
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
Spain · 18°C by day · sea 21°C
La Palma
Spain · 20°C by day · sea 20°C
Lanzarote
Tunisia · 18°C by day · sea 18°C
Sousse
Hong Kong · 20°C by day · sea 20°C
Hong Kong
Spain · 20°C by day · sea 20°C
Fuerteventura
A little more detail
Marrakech in December FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Marrakech hot in December?
Marrakech is mild in December: the average daytime high is 18.8°C and nights average 4.7°C. Roughly 1 in 45 December days reach 25°C.
How much does it rain in Marrakech in December?
Marrakech sees about 5 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 26 mm of rain in a typical December. The wettest December between 1991 and 2020 was 1996 (92 mm) and the driest was 2015 (0 mm).
How sunny is Marrakech in December?
Marrakech gets around 6.2 hours of sunshine a day in December out of 9.9 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Marrakech compare with the UK in December?
Marrakech is on average 11.1°C warmer than London by day in December (18.8°C against 7.7°C).
What is the hottest December on record in Marrakech?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day in Marrakech reached 27.5°C on 2010-12-05, and the coldest night dropped to -2.5°C on 2006-12-23.
Is Marrakech hot enough for sunbathing in December?
You may get an afternoon warm enough to sit in the sun, but do not rely on sustained heat. Only 2% of days reach 25°C. December is better suited to mild-weather time outdoors than a holiday built around sunbathing.
How long is the flight from London?
The flight from London takes about 3 h 36 min, making Marrakech a short-haul option for a milder December break. The weather trade-off is straightforward: more daytime warmth than London, but still cold nights and a chance of rain.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Marrakesh. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C