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Merzouga sits at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes in southeastern Morocco, at an elevation of roughly 705 meters. It has a hot desert climate (Koppen BWh) with huge daily temperature swings: summer days hit 40°C (104°F) while winter nights drop close to freezing. The village receives about 110 mm of rain per year, nearly all of it between October and April. This Merzouga weather guide breaks down the numbers month by month so you can pack for the right conditions.
Merzouga Weather by Month: Winter (December to February)
December through February is the cold season. January averages a high of 18°C (64°F) and a low of 3°C (37°F), but nights regularly fall to -1°C (30°F) and frost forms on the dunes at dawn. December and January are also the wettest months, each with about 12 mm of rain, usually as a short shower. Sunshine still averages 8 hours a day in January, so days are bright and dry even when nights are cold. For a full packing list for these cold nights, see the Merzouga travel tips page.
Merzouga Weather by Month: Spring (March to May)
March warms to an average high of 24°C (75°F) and a low of 8°C (46°F). April reaches 28°C (82°F) and May climbs to 32°C (90°F). Rainfall drops from 10 mm in March to 6 mm in May. The main risk in spring is the chergui, a hot, dusty wind from the southeast that can kick up sandstorms between March and May. Visibility in a sandstorm can fall below 100 meters, so carry a scarf and sunglasses if you visit in spring. Most outdoor activities in this season are listed in the things to do in Merzouga guide.
Merzouga Weather by Month: Summer (June to August)
Summer is extreme heat. July is the hottest month with an average high of 41°C (106°F) and a low of 25°C (77°F), and daytime peaks of 47°C (117°F) are recorded most years. June averages 37°C (99°F) and August 40°C (104°F). Rain is almost zero, 1 to 3 mm per month. Most desert camps and kasbahs run on solar power and only some have air conditioning, so check where to stay in Merzouga before booking a July stay. Any outdoor activity should be planned for the first hours after sunrise.
Merzouga Weather by Month: Autumn (September to November)
September still averages 35°C (95°F) but cools quickly: October averages 29°C (84°F) and November 23°C (73°F). Nights return to comfortable levels, 20°C (68°F) in September falling to 9°C (48°F) by November. Rain picks up again in October and November, around 12 mm each month, and short thunderstorms can briefly flood the flat desert roads. Late October and November are among the most pleasant months of the year, and this is also when some events and festivals in Merzouga take place in the wider region.
Merzouga Weather by Month: Comparison Table
| Month | High °C | Low °C | Rain (mm) | Sun (hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18 | 3 | 12 | 8 |
| February | 20 | 5 | 10 | 8 |
| March | 24 | 8 | 10 | 9 |
| April | 28 | 12 | 8 | 10 |
| May | 32 | 16 | 6 | 11 |
| June | 37 | 20 | 3 | 12 |
| July | 41 | 25 | 1 | 12 |
| August | 40 | 25 | 2 | 11 |
| September | 35 | 20 | 6 | 10 |
| October | 29 | 15 | 12 | 9 |
| November | 23 | 9 | 12 | 8 |
| December | 19 | 4 | 13 | 8 |
For the dates that are comfortable to travel, see the best time to visit Merzouga guide, and for how the villages around the dunes differ, see the Merzouga neighborhoods page.
