Located on the North Atlantic coast of Morocco, Agadir is a year-round destination with dry, hot summers and mild winters. If you are a sun worshipper then July through to September are best for you, although even in January you can still enjoy the beach or pool. Let's delve into what you can expect weather-wise if you plan to visit Agadir in January.
Agadir Beach
General Weather Overview
January is the coolest month of the year in Agadir, with mainly clear skies and some patchy cloud cover. January is coldest of the three winter months in Agadir, Morocco though temperatures still average a high of 23° C during the day.
The town of Agadir is relatively new. The old city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. As the largest resort city in Morocco, Agadir caters to the budget conscious as well as the not-so-budget conscious traveller.
In Agadir, the summers are short, warm, muggy, arid, and clear and the winters are short, cool, and mostly clear. The best time of year to visit Agadir for hot-weather activities is from late June to early September. Agadir, with its coastal location, enjoys relatively warmer temperatures and less rain compared to Casablanca and Tangier.
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Temperature
During January the average daytime temperature in Agadir hovers around 15ºC. Daily high temperatures are around 68°F, rarely falling below 61°F or exceeding 78°F. The lowest daily average high temperature is 68°F on January 19. Daily low temperatures are around 48°F, rarely falling below 41°F or exceeding 55°F. The lowest daily average low temperature is 47°F on January 15.
For reference, on August 1, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Agadir typically range from 66°F to 81°F, while on January 15, the coldest day of the year, they range from 47°F to 68°F. Early mornings and evenings, however, can be a bit chilly until the sun has had a chance to warm things up.
The coldest day of the year is January 15th with the average temperature on that day dropping to 7° C.
Average Temperatures in January:
- Average Daytime Temperature: 15°C (59°F)
- Highs: 22°C (72°F)
- Lows: 8°C (46°F)
Rainfall and Cloud Cover
If you’re visiting in January there’s a chance of rain showers, so make sure you pack a waterproof and bring extra layers for the cooler evenings. Towards the end of January there’s less chance of rain, so book your holiday in the latter half of the month to reduce the risk of getting wet.
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Rainfall averages almost an inch total for the month. The total monthly precipitation rate averages only one inch or so, hence the possibility of rain will not ruin your holiday. When it does rain, moderate or light showers have the most likelihood of keeping you indoors for a time.
The month of January in Agadir experiences essentially constant cloud cover, with the percentage of time that the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy remaining about 28% throughout the month. The clearest day of the month is January 30, with clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy conditions 74% of the time.
A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. In Agadir, the chance of a wet day over the course of January is essentially constant, remaining around 11% throughout.
The average sliding 31-day rainfall during January in Agadir is essentially constant, remaining about 1.2 inches throughout, and rarely exceeding 3.3 inches. The lowest average 31-day accumulation is 1.1 inches on January 21.
Sunshine and Daylight
There are ten hours of sunlight each day, with sunset at around 5.50pm at the start of the month. The sun rises at approximately 8:00 AM each day and sets by about 5:00 PM each afternoon during January.
Read also: Agadir: Beaches, Culture, Cuisine
Over the course of January in Agadir, the length of the day is increasing. From the start to the end of the month, the length of the day increases by 31 minutes, implying an average daily increase of 1 minute, 1 second, and weekly increase of 7 minutes, 10 seconds. The shortest day of the month is January 1, with 10 hours, 14 minutes of daylight and the longest day is January 31, with 10 hours, 44 minutes of daylight.
The latest sunrise of the month in Agadir is 8:36 AM on January 10 and the earliest sunrise is 6 minutes earlier at 8:29 AM on January 31. The earliest sunset is 6:48 PM on January 1 and the latest sunset is 25 minutes later at 7:14 PM on January 31.
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Sea Temperature
The sea temperature is around 18ºC, so it’ll feel slightly warm in comparison with the air. Ocean temperatures in Agadir average 18°C.
Other Considerations
- Thunderstorms: Thunderstorms occur, but are relatively uncommon in winter months. There is on average a less than 2% chance of a thunderstorm in January.
- Dew Point: The dew point during the month of January generally remains in the comfortable range.
- Wind: The average hourly wind speed in Agadir is gradually increasing during January, increasing from 7.7 miles per hour to 8.2 miles per hour over the course of the month. The wind direction in Agadir during January is predominantly out of the east from January 1 to January 20 and the north from January 20 to January 31.
Things to Do in Agadir
Most tourists come to Agadir for the resort's beautiful white sand beaches, including Agadir beach by the harbor and Tiznit beach to the south of the city. Many hotels such as the Paradis Plage just outside the city are located right on the beach with many of the rooms overlooking the ocean. Swimmers beware however, as the undertow can be dangerous if you wade more than waist deep. For swimming, hotel pools are much safer.
If you want to avoid the crowds and have a bit more privacy, a short cab or bus ride outside of the city takes you along miles and miles of picturesque and unspoiled seaside such as the Tamri, Taghazout, or Amesnaz beaches. If you like to ride horses, or have never ridden a camel, several companies such as Amodou Cheval - offer rides along the shore. There are plenty of tours available including camel trekking, atlas mountain excursions and mountain bike rides.
Besides the beaches, Agadir is best known for its seafront promenade. Colorful, vibrant, and family-friendly, there are plenty of shops and restaurants. Sitting in one of the cafes look out for the local "guides" trying to entice you to one of the belly dancing shows- and enjoying the sun setting over the Atlantic can easily become a nightly ritual. Nightlife begins after sundown in Agadir.
Food and Drink
You will never run out of choices for eating and drinking in Agadir. If you are looking for a fine dining experience, one of the most popular and highly rated restaurants in the city is Pure Passion. One of the most popular places for French Moroccan food is the Le Jardin d'Eau or the Quartiers d'ete. For affordable family fare, such as pizza and ice cream, head to Venezia, which is located near the marina, right off the beach.
Golf
If you like golf, Agadir has some of the best courses in the Maghreb. The Royal Agadir just east of the city ranks as one of the top 100 golf courses in the world.
Accommodation
Visitors can choose from five star hotels, self-catering apartments, and everything in between. Most facilities have lots of extras, too, such as Olympic size pools, tennis courts, opulent gardens and family rooms. Many other resorts offer similar features, but at much less cost. Self-catering hotels are plentiful and reasonable priced even during the height of the tourist season.
Tips for Travelers
- Layering: Bring layers to adjust to varying temperatures.
- Sun Protection: Despite cooler temperatures, the sun can be strong, especially in the desert.
January in Morocco offers a diverse range of weather conditions across its regions. From the mild, damp coastal areas to the chilly desert nights and snowy mountains, Morocco in January is a land of contrasts.
| City | Conditions in January |
|---|---|
| Agadir | Relatively warmer temperatures and less rain compared to other coastal cities. |
| Marrakech | Mild during the day but cool at night. |
Embarking on a journey to Agadir, Morocco, guarantees a remarkable adventure brimming with breathtaking sights and vibrant experiences.
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