Atlas Mountains in November
 

Hi,
My friends and I are thinking of going to Morocco in November on our bikes and we’re wondering what the weather will be like in the Atlas Mountains at that time of year?

Hello Teagy:

Like any other mountain range in the world, the answer is entirely dependent on what elevation you are at.

Morocco is pleasant in November, not too hot and not too cold. Having said that, temperature decreases with altitude at a rate of 3°C per thousand feet of elevation (5.4°F per thousand feet), and the Atlas mountains are well over 10,000 feet high.

I recall riding through the Atlas mountains a few years ago - it was hot as heck down near sea level, but quite cool up on the mountain roads.

Michael

it's kind of hard to tell these days with global warming etc. We had weird seasons here in the US, warm winters etc.

I was in Morocco in November previously around the Azilal and Ouzoud region, normally it's warm...but it was cold and I had to ask friends to borrow sweaters etc.

So it can be chilly/cold, but it wont be super cold

Your best is be prepared just in case

As stated before being well prepared for most situations is really all you can do. Ive been to morocoo a few times, and no matter which season, weather forecast excecpt for that one has been notirously inaccurate. Like it says: 20 degrees celcius for next 3 days, and then you have 35 degrees and you cant bearly move. This was all in the Rifmountains, though.

November is tricky, keep an eye on the weather forecasts for rain. If it's heavy it turns out like this (fast forward to 1 min 30 secs): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0T_upxCNT4

Tim:

I'm thinking of storing my bike (a Honda ST 1100) in southern Spain at the end of September, then returning in mid-winter to ride in Morocco.

Given a choice in the matter, which month do you think would be best so far as weather is concerned? December, January, or February? My primary concern is avoiding excessive amounts of rain.

Understandably, I only ride on paved roads - the ST 1100 has many qualities, but 'dual sport' is not one of them. :)

Michael

November is often quoted as the worse for rain but what has happened in past years is not much of a guide for this winter.

I tend to get the winter blues and I can put up with Nov/Dec as Christmas with the family is looming, but then in Jan/Feb the summer seems so long away that I try to get somewhere sunny in those months. It's impossible to predict so far ahead but my gut says February. Feb also has slightly longer hours of daylight.

Thanks Tim, I appreciate your advice.

Michael