Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert at 1,135 m, is reached from Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m) in about 4 hours. Its climate is very dry: barely 115 mm of rain a year, scorching summers (39 °C in July) and winter nights close to 0 °C.
A pre-Saharan climate
Ouarzazate gets more than 3,400 hours of sunshine a year. Day-night swings are spectacular: in January 17 °C in the afternoon and under 2 °C at dawn. In summer afternoons often pass 38 °C. The ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, 30 km away, shares this climate.
The Tichka road
The road crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass. In winter snow and ice can slow or temporarily block traffic: check our forecast for Oukaïmeden (similar altitude) and road information before leaving. The rest of the year the road is winding but easy.
When to go
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October-November) are ideal: warm days, cool nights. In summer visit Aït Ben Haddou early in the morning. In winter the light is superb, but bring very warm clothes for the evening.
Average temperatures month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17° | 2° | 6 mm |
| February | 19° | 5° | 14 mm |
| March | 23° | 8° | 17 mm |
| April | 27° | 12° | 7 mm |
| May | 31° | 16° | 4 mm |
| June | 36° | 20° | 7 mm |
| July | 39° | 23° | 4 mm |
| August | 38° | 22° | 12 mm |
| September | 33° | 18° | 13 mm |
| October | 28° | 13° | 15 mm |
| November | 22° | 7° | 8 mm |
| December | 18° | 3° | 10 mm |
1991-2020 station averages.