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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Marrakech in January

Marrakech in January: 11% of days see measurable rain, 68°F average high, 28% of days historically clear (n=248, ERA5 2018–2025).

Marrakech in January is historically a poor month for sun: only 28% of days clear across 8 years (n=248, avg high 68°F). August is the clearest month for Marrakech historically. Historical average, not a forecast.

What you are reading: 8-year historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis, not a forecast. A month that is historically 90% clear can still be overcast on your specific trip. For this week’s actual forecast, see the live Marrakech page. Both can be true at once: “historically strong in this month; this particular week is not.” We label which is which.

Early vs. Late January

Clear-sky percentage for Marrakech in January, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early January
1st–15th		 27% n=120 68°F
Late January
16th–end		 28% n=128 68°F
Full month average 28% n=248 68°F

Sunshine & warmth in January

A second measure using actual sunshine hours (ERA5 sunshine_duration), not the daily weather code. A Lowcountry day with 12 hours of sun and a 25-minute afternoon storm is counted below as a warm, sunny day — because it was. How we define this.

Sunshine-based metrics for Marrakech in January. Primary: % of days ≥ 72°F with > 6 h of sunshine.
Period Warm & sunny (≥72°F, >6 h sun) Sample (n)
Early January
1st–15th		 27% n=120
Late January
16th–end		 30% n=128
Full month average 29% n=248
9.8 h median sunshine per day 90% of days exceed 8 h sunshine 11% of days see ≥ 1 mm rain — rain is not hidden
Comparison (old vs new): WMO-code “clear” bar: 28%. Sunshine-based “warm & sunny”: 29%. The two measures are nearly identical here — no convective-storm bias for this climate and month.

Bottom line

Marrakech is mostly overcast in January historically: only 28% of days are clear across 8 years (n=248), avg high 68°F. If you want sun in Marrakech, August is historically much better. Most visitors this month will see more clouds than sun.

→ See all destinations in August — historically the best month for sun in Marrakech.

Every month in Marrakech

Compare across all months with data. Numbers are historical clear-sky %.

Historical clear-sky % for Marrakech, all months, ERA5 2018–2025.
Month % Clear Sample (n)
January ← this page 28% n=248 All destinations →
February 48% n=226 All destinations →
March 42% n=248 All destinations →
April 60% n=240 All destinations →
May 76% n=248 All destinations →
June 90% n=240 All destinations →
July 97% n=248 All destinations →
August 98% n=248 All destinations →
September 83% n=240 All destinations →
October 79% n=248 All destinations →
November 60% n=240 All destinations →
December 37% n=248 All destinations →

Frequently asked

Does it rain in Marrakech in January?

Rarely. Only 11% of days in Marrakech see measurable rain in January, based on 8 years of ERA5 historical data (n=248 days, 2018–2025). This is a historical average, not a forecast.

Is Marrakech good for sun in January?

Not usually. Marrakech is historically overcast in January: only 28% of days are clear (avg high 68°F, n=248 days, ERA5 2018–2025). August is historically far better for sun here.

All percentages are historical averages from the ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 8 full years (2018–2025). “Clear” means avg high ≥ 72 °F, precipitation < 1 mm, and a non-precipitation weather code. This is history, not a forecast. The live 7-day outlook for any destination is on its own page and may differ from the long-run average. Data from Open-Meteo.