When Does Winter Start in Morocco 2026? The Exact Date and Time
Winter begins in Morocco, astronomically speaking, on Monday, December 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM local time (20:50 UTC). That is the exact moment of the winter solstice — the longest night and shortest day of the year across the Kingdom. But this is not the only accepted date: meteorological winter starts on December 1, and the felt cold typically sets in from mid-November in inland cities and the mountains.
The exact moment winter 2026 begins: Monday, December 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM, Morocco time. Before that second we are officially in autumn; right after it, astronomical winter begins — lasting 89 days until the spring equinox on March 21, 2027.
The quick answer
- Astronomical winter begins: Monday, December 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM, Morocco time
- Meteorological winter begins: Tuesday, December 1, 2026 and ends February 28, 2027
- Felt cold in inland cities and mountains: from mid-November
- Peak snowfall in the Atlas: between December and February
- End of winter 2027: March 21, 2027 at around 9:24 AM, astronomically speaking
Why does the winter start date differ?
The reason several "starting points" for winter exist comes down to two ways of counting the seasons:
| Type | Start | End | Who uses it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Astronomical | Dec 21, 2026 | Mar 21, 2027 | Official calendars, media, DGM |
| Meteorological | December 1 | February 28 | Climate scientists, statistics |
| Felt/phenological | Mid-November | Varies by region | Everyone, farmers, tourism |
Astronomical winter is tied to Earth's position relative to the Sun: at the winter solstice, the Sun reaches its lowest point in the northern-hemisphere sky. Daylight lasts only about 10 hours in central Morocco, with nearly 14 hours of darkness. Meteorological winter instead slices the season into three whole months (December–January–February) to make year-on-year statistical comparisons easy — the standard used in global climate reports.
Because the civil year (365 days) is slightly longer than the astronomical year, the solstice drifts about 6 hours later each year, then jumps back a full day in leap years. That is why the solstice falls sometimes on December 21 and sometimes on December 22.
Winter start dates in Morocco (2026–2030)
| Year | First day of astronomical winter | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, December 21 | At 9:50 PM, Morocco time |
| 2027 | Wednesday, December 22 | Just before dawn (~3:42 AM) |
| 2028 | Thursday, December 21 | Morning (~9:19 AM) |
| 2029 | Friday, December 21 | Just before dawn (~3:14 AM) |
| 2030 | Saturday, December 21 | Evening (~9:09 PM) |
For annual planning (mountain trips, ski weekends, winter planting), always rely on the December 21–22 window as the astronomical start of winter, and check the exact solstice time each year — when it crosses midnight, the official "day" can shift from one calendar to another.
When does it actually get cold in Morocco?
Long before the solstice, Morocco is already living its felt winter. The usual sequence:
- Early November: nights cool down markedly inland (8–11 °C in Marrakech and Fès), with the first frosts on the High and Middle Atlas.
- Mid-November: the first cold outbreaks arrive from the North Atlantic, bringing continuous rain to the coast and the north. This is when Moroccans say "the cold has set in."
- Late November: heating becomes necessary at night almost everywhere, and morning windscreen scraping returns on the high plateaus.
- December: the period from December 15 to January 15 is the cold core of the year in the north and high plains.
The mountains always lead the way: in Ifrane, Azrou and Midelt, nights drop below freezing from early November, with the first snowfalls. The Atlantic coast stays mildest thanks to the ocean's buffering, while the Saharan south enjoys sunny days and cool nights.
What happens to Morocco's weather at the start of winter?
The solstice coincides with the peak of transformations that began gradually in autumn, as explained in our article on when autumn starts in Morocco:
- Peak of the rainy season: December and January are the wettest months in most regions, as successive Atlantic depressions sweep through. Full details in our Morocco rainy season guide.
- Snow on the mountains: the peaks of the High Atlas, Middle Atlas and Rif turn white, sometimes down to entire towns, as our snow in Morocco guide recounts.
- Shortest days of the year: about 10 hours of daylight at the solstice, sunset around 5:30 PM, and exceptional atmospheric clarity after the rain.
- Dams filling up: winter rains are the main inflow to Moroccan reservoirs — the historic 2025–2026 season proved it, as told in our historic winter 2025-2026 article.
- Cold sea and storm swell: Atlantic water temperatures bottom out (17–19 °C), with strong wave activity on the western coasts.
Winter rain episodes can turn into flash floods in wadis and low-lying areas, especially after drought years. Avoid crossing wadis during storms, read our warnings about flash floods in Morocco, and check the weather alerts page before every trip.
Winter climate region by region
Moroccan winters are not uniform: a mild rainy coast, a sunny interior with cold nights, snowy mountains and a warm-by-day south. This diversity stems from the five climates of Morocco. Here are average daytime temperatures:
| Region | December | January | February |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic coast (Casablanca, Rabat) | 17–20 °C | 17–19 °C | 18–20 °C |
| Mediterranean north (Tangier, Al Hoceima) | 16–19 °C | 16–18 °C | 17–19 °C |
| Interior (Marrakech, Fès, Meknès) | 17–20 °C | 17–20 °C | 19–22 °C |
| Mountains (Ifrane, Azrou, Midelt) | 6–10 °C | 6–10 °C | 8–12 °C |
| South & desert (Laâyoune, Dakhla) | 21–26 °C | 21–25 °C | 22–26 °C |
Nights differ even more sharply: from 9–12 °C on the coast, to 5–8 °C inland where frost is common, down to -5 °C and below on the high Atlas peaks during cold waves. To explore the snowy mountain climate, see our Atlas Mountains weather guide, and for a month-by-month view, the Morocco weather calendar covers the whole year.
Live weather in three representative regions
To follow how each region experiences winter, here is the live weather and three-day forecast in three cities that capture Morocco's full climatic contrast:
The mountains: Ifrane
Ifrane is Morocco's undisputed winter capital: from December the town becomes a snowy postcard, with sub-zero nights, days often below 8 °C and the Michlifen ski resort minutes away.
The interior: Marrakech
Winter Marrakech serves sunny, mild days (18–21 °C) perfect for the medina and gardens, but cold nights (6–8 °C) that call for a proper jacket — with the white Atlas peaks as a backdrop.
The coast: Casablanca
The Casablanca littoral experiences a mild, rainy winter: days around 18 °C punctuated by successive Atlantic disturbances, morning fog and heavy swell on the corniche on storm days.
Is winter a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes — depending on the region and the activity. The practical read:
- Imperial cities and desert at their best: Marrakech, Agadir, Merzouga and Zagora enjoy sunny days (18–26 °C) and refreshing nights, away from summer crowds and prices.
- Skiing in Africa: the Oukaïmeden and Michlifen resorts run at full capacity from December to March depending on snow cover.
- Lowest rates of the year: hotels and riads hit their annual lows outside the holiday week.
- Beware desert and mountain nights: camping in Merzouga demands serious winter gear, with nights close to freezing.
To rank cities by their best visiting months, see the best time to visit Morocco's cities, and for the full winter packing list, our what to wear in Morocco guide.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
When exactly does winter 2026 start in Morocco?
Winter begins astronomically in Morocco on Monday, December 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM local time (20:50 UTC) — the precise instant of the winter solstice, which marks the longest night of the year.
Does winter start on December 1 or December 21 in Morocco?
Both dates are correct, but in different calendars: meteorologically, winter begins on December 1 and ends February 28 (the climate-statistics standard); astronomically, it begins at the solstice on December 21, 2026 — the official calendar date.
What is the winter solstice?
The winter solstice is the moment the Sun reaches its lowest height in the northern-hemisphere sky, due to Earth's axial tilt. It is the shortest day and longest night of the year (about 10 hours of daylight in Morocco); afterwards, days gradually lengthen toward spring.
When does the cold actually begin in Morocco?
Felt cold begins at night from mid-November in inland cities and the mountains, with the first frosts. Daytime temperatures bottom out between mid-December and mid-January. The Atlantic coast always stays milder thanks to the ocean.
Does it snow in Morocco?
Yes — abundantly at altitude: the High Atlas, Middle Atlas and Rif receive regular snowfall from November to April. Towns like Ifrane, Azrou and Midelt see snow in their streets, and real ski resorts operate every winter, as detailed in our snow in Morocco guide.
When does winter 2026-2027 end?
Winter ends on February 28, 2027 in the meteorological reckoning, and on March 21, 2027 at around 9:24 AM Morocco time astronomically, at the spring equinox when day and night become equal again.
Is winter a good time to visit Morocco?
Yes for most destinations: Marrakech, the desert and the south offer sunny days (18–26 °C) and low prices, and the mountains delight snow and ski lovers. Just pack warm clothes for the nights, and expect coastal rain in the heart of December and January.
Conclusion
The precise answer to "when does winter start" depends on which calendar you use: December 21, 2026 at 9:50 PM, Morocco time, for astronomical winter, December 1 for meteorological winter, and mid-November for the felt cold. In practice, winter arrives gradually: first in the mountains and inland nights from November, then in full force with December's rains and the Atlas snow. Follow the live forecast to track winter in your city — and for the other side of the season, read our article on when autumn starts in Morocco.
