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SunnyDays

ERA5 almanac — 8 years of real data

Marrakech in May

Marrakech in May: 11% of days see measurable rain, 87°F average high, 76% of days historically clear (n=248, ERA5 2018–2025).

Historically one of the better months to visit Marrakech for sun: 76% of days are clear on average (n=248, avg high 87°F). Every percentage here is a historical average from 8 years of ERA5 data — 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 May

Clear-sky percentage for Marrakech in May, split by half-month. “n” is the number of days sampled across 8 years (2018–2025).
Period % Clear days Sample (n) Avg high
Early May
1st–15th		 78% n=120 87°F
Late May
16th–end		 74% n=128 87°F
Full month average 76% n=248 87°F

Sunshine & warmth in May

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 May. Primary: % of days ≥ 72°F with > 6 h of sunshine.
Period Warm & sunny (≥72°F, >6 h sun) Sample (n)
Early May
1st–15th		 92% n=120
Late May
16th–end		 95% n=128
Full month average 94% n=248
13.0 h median sunshine per day 92% 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: 76%. Sunshine-based “warm & sunny”: 94%. The 18-point gap is from brief afternoon convective storms that stamp the whole day as “rain” in the WMO code but leave the bulk of the sunshine untouched.

Bottom line

Marrakech clears solidly in May: 76% of days historically (n=248), avg high 87°F. Most trips here in May will find more sun than cloud.

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 28% n=248 All destinations →
February 48% n=226 All destinations →
March 42% n=248 All destinations →
April 60% n=240 All destinations →
May ← this page 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 May?

Rarely. Only 11% of days in Marrakech see measurable rain in May, 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 May?

Yes. Marrakech is historically strong for sun in May: 76% of days are clear on average (avg high 87°F, n=248 days, ERA5 2018–2025).

How Marrakech compares in May

Head-to-head clear-sky comparisons against destinations travelers plausibly weigh against Marrakech this month — same passport tier, similar flight distance, both sides from the same 8-year ERA5 record.

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.