Morocco's Sahara Desert in October: Travel Tips, Weather, and More Since the 1950s, population increase and the overuse of marginal lands have decreased vegetation cover and increased soil erosion, resulting in an overall expansion of the desert area of the Gobi at the expense of semiarid grasslands on the fringes. Youll experience shows, workshops, conferences and more throughout the festival. Our guide to everything you need to know before travelling to Morocco, 5 magical experiences to have in Morocco with Trafalgar, All the essentials to include on your Morocco packing list, All the different types of music you can look forward to on your next trip to Morocco, The dream bucket list destinations that are open to travellers for 2022 trips, 12 quarantine-free travel experiences to try in 2021, Christmas in the sunshine: where to go for winter sun in Morocco. The weather is cool enough to explore the cities, although the nights can get very cold. This incredible cultural celebration brings dozens of different tribes from across Morocco to Tan-Tan in southwest Morocco. The various snails that inhabit the desert are an important source of food for birds and animals. The soil of the Gobi is chiefly grayish brown and brown carbonaceous (rich in carbon), gypseous (containing gypsum), coarse gravel, often combined with sandy salt marshes and takyr. January is the middle of winter in Morocco. The heat of the desert can reach extreme temperatures during the day. Hot. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Winters are relatively cold in the northern regions and cool in the central Sahara. On the other hand, subterranean water is widespread and of sufficient quality to allow cattle raising. "They face a much bigger challenge because they don't get to move," DeNardo said. Sandy. The typically bald, rocky, or sandy surfaces in desert climates are dry and hold little moisture, quickly evaporating the already little rainfall they receive. In the Sahara Desert, which extends into the country's southeast, the days are sunny (though shorter than you'll experience in summer) with temperatures pleasant for outdoor activities during the day. Some are superhot in the day. Many reptiles also benefit from being small, which allows them to find shady nooks during the day or warmer rocks at night. Its not hard to imagine how quickly temperatures plummet when there isnt any sunshine! Although they occur at various times of the year, they are especially common during the spring. What is a Desert Climate? - WorldAtlas Climate & Weather Averages in Arabian Desert, Egypt - TimeAndDate These locations feature some of the highest annual average temperatures recorded on Earth, exceeding 30C (86F), up to nearly 35C (95F) in Dallol, Ethiopia. The world absolute heat records, over 50C (122F), are generally in the hot deserts, where the heat potential can be the highest on the planet. This story was updated at 5:00 AM ET on Feb. 22 to fix a Fahrenheit to Celsius conversion. The area alone has nearly one million date palms and youll find some of Moroccos finest date products here. In 2022, Ramadan will begin April 2nd and ends May 1st. Sahara desert hit by icy blast and snow blankets parts of Saudi Arabia In other words, reptiles can use this energy elsewhere, like hunting. Sahara desert hit by icy blast as snow blankets parts of Saudi Arabia Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Desert Habitat - Nature Livestock raising is mainly nomadic, and herds move several times a year, migrating as much as 120 miles (190 km) between extreme points. Therefore, a lack of humidity in deserts allows these arid places to quickly heat up but also rapidly cool. There are several highways, including one from eastern China to Xinjiang across the Bei Mountains and the Gaxun Gobi; from the town of Kalgan (Zhangjiakou) in Inner Mongolia (northwest of Beijing) to Ulaanbaatar; and from Ulaanbaatar to Dalandzadgad in southern Mongolia, some 300 miles (500 km) south-southwest of Ulaanbaatar. Earth Science, Climatology, Geography, Physical Geography. You might recall that February of 2021 was a brutally cold month. He is also interested in evolution, climate change, robots, space exploration, environmental conservation and anything that's been fossilized. And most deserts, far from being empty and lifeless, are home to a variety of plants, animals, and other organisms. This is the time to visit the Erg Chebbi dunes, go on a camel ride, and enjoy an organized tour of desert towns. While spring (March to May) and autumn (September to October) are hailed as the best times to visit due to the pleasant temperatures, every season offers something different. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Antarctica - Climate | Britannica Its best to head to the coastal cities like Tangier or Essaouira during this month.. And if youre heading to the inland cities like Marrakesh, be sure to book a hotel with a swimming pool! Examine how continuous climate change impacts the Sahara and its vegetation, Investigate the impact of sand particles of the Sahara on the Earth's climate. The annual total precipitation varies from less than 2 inches (50 mm) in the west to more than 8 inches (200 mm) in the northeast. In Egypt they are known as the khamsin, in Libya as the ghibli, and in Tunisia as the chili. RELATED CONTENT: 12 quarantine-free travel experiences to try in 2021. Unlike a thermos, sand doesn't retain heat very well. The Sahara Desert is further subdivided into many smaller deserts such as the Nubian desert, Tanezrouft desert, Sinai desert, Libyan desert, Tenere desert, etc. Many deserts were formed 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Morocco's Sahara Desert in June: Travel Tips, Weather, and More t.src = 'https://' + cdn + '/media/js/common/plugin_goconnect_embed.js'; November starts to ease into winter, offering cooler days and fewer crowds. "Incredible Earth" reveals answers to these questions and more on a thrilling journey through everything you need to know about our world and with gorgeous photography and insightful diagrams along the way! The Sahara desert has been hit by an icy blast with temperatures dipping below freezing. desert - National Geographic Society On some occasions, temperatures as low as 36F(-33 C) have been reported. The world absolute heat records, over 50 C (122 F), are generally in the hot deserts, where the heat potential can be the highest on the planet. Almond Blossom Festival in Tafraoute. Let us know in the comments below! If you're taking a day trip to the Sahara Desert in North Africa, you're going to want to bring a lot of water and plenty of sunscreen. For information on user permissions, please read our Terms of Service. If you prefer to visit Morocco in a quieter season, youll find fewer crowds all over Morocco in February as its the shoulder season. The ultramarathon is about 250 kilometers . Scientific study of the complexes began with the discovery in 1907 of the caves by the Hungarian-British archaeologist and geographer Aurel Stein. New Year celebrations. Why do deserts get so cold at night? | Live Science Mountain streams are confined to the Gobis fringes and even then quickly dry up as they disappear into the loose soil or the salty, enclosed depressions. In 45 states, the coldest month of the year is January. Sahara desert hit by icy blast and snow blankets parts of Saudi Arabia Its a national public holiday and youll find festivities and events around the cities. Download issues for free. We are so glad we wen", "Out tour guides and driver Yassine were incredible. Are you planning to visit Morocco and the Sahara Desert? Human activity seems to have contributed to the stability of the desert by increasing surface reflectivity and by reducing evapotranspiration. During the past 7,000 years cattle-based animal husbandry in the desert and along its margins apparently has contributed further to the maintenance of these conditions, and the climate of the Sahara has been relatively constant for 2,000 years. Some locations in the Sahara Desert such as Kufra, Libya record an even drier 0.86mm (0.034in) of rainfall annually. Its a great month for hiking in the mountains or sightseeing in the souks and medinas. The northernmost latitudes are arid subtropical and have two rainy seasons, while the southern latitudes are tropical and have one rainy season. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Eric Leister said while it is rare for the region to have snow, it is not completely out of the ordinary. "For most deserts, we are predicting an average rise in temperature of 3 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit [1.7 to 2.2 C].". This is due to its location near a tropical ocean and desert dryness which has led it to be one of Earths hottest regions year round (even at night). If youre interested in Moroccan movies, you cant miss this event. They catered to our requests rig", Traveled to Morocco as a family in April, 2023, "Hakim planned an amazing trip for us (family of 3 with a 13 year old son) and our friends (family of 4 with daughter 17 and son 15) -- The trip was totally s", "We decided to tour Morocco prior to Covid. You cannot download interactives. Incredible Earth: $22.99 at Magazines Direct (opens in new tab). There are herb meadows with rhizome Mongolian onions and herb salt marshes with sparse beds of bushlike Caragana. With daytime temperatures rising to 45C, its best to go exploring in the mornings and evenings and spend the midday soaking in a pool. For the zone as a whole, average monthly temperatures during the cold season are approximately 55 F (13 C). W", Traveled to Morocco as a couple in April, 2023, "Had the most amazing 10 day trip throughout Morocco! Ramadan. What Electric Power Plugs Are Used in Morocco. Can plants and animals survive in the Sahara Desert? While its considered the low season, it does coincide with school holidays in the UK, so it can be a popular time for family holidays. Therefore, plants grow only in areas where the air temperature does not fall below freezing for more than a couple of hours each night, known as the freezeline. But if you're planning to stay the night, then you better bring a snug sleeping bag, too. January is one of the coldest months there with an average temperature of 14C (57F). If the area's annual precipitation is less than half the threshold (50%), it is classified as a BW (desert climate), while 50-100% the threshold results in a semi-arid climate.[5]. The highest temperature ever recorded in the Sahara Desert is 58C. At night, the average temperature is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. Sahara Desert Gets Snowfall in Rare Phenomenon, Stunning Photos Go Viral Morocco is a unique destination and", "Our family vacation to Morocco was amazing! And as autumn rolls in, the Sahara Desert also becomes much more manageable. Most deserts receive less than 300 mm a year compared to rainforests, which receive over 2,000 mm. National Geographic Society is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Moussem Moulay Abdellah Amghar. The suns rays are reflected off the sand, which causes air to heat up and temperature soar. For the zone as a whole, average monthly temperatures during the cold season are approximately 55 F (13 C). . Yassine thought nothing of going the extra mile in customer service and did that the day I hurt my ankle.", Moroccan Highlights: Fes, the Sahara Desert, & Marrakech - 6 Days, Marrakech & Grand Tour of the Sahara Desert - 6 Days, Morocco's Imperial Cities & the Sahara Desert - 13 Days, Ultimate Guide to Luxury Travel in Morocco, Planning Your Perfect Honeymoon in Morocco, Morocco in January: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, Morocco in February: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, Morocco in March: Travel Tips, Weather, and More, 5 Days in Morocco - 4 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 1 Week in Morocco - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 10 Days in Morocco - 6 Unique Itinerary Ideas, 2 Weeks in Morocco - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas, Grand Morocco Tour: North to South - 10 Days, Marrakech & Grand Tour of the Sahara Desert - 5 Days, A Taste of Morocco: Casablanca to Marrakech - 7 Days, Ultimate Guide to Chefchaouen: Morocco's Blue City. When heat and light from the sun hit a sandy desert, sand grains in the desert's top layer absorb and also release heat back into the air, according to a 2008 report from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. We use cookies to analyze our traffic, enhance our websites functionality and performance, and a better experience for our users. The annual temperature range is considerable, with average lows in January reaching 40 F (40 C) and average highs in July climbing to 113 F (45 C); daily temperature ranges also can be quite large. The most extreme weather and climates on Earth: From fire tornadoes to If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. September is one of the best times to visit Morocco as the weather starts to cool down, the skies are blue, and the summer holiday crowds tend to leave. A desert is actually just a place that has very little precipitation. When you reach out to him or her, you will need the page title, URL, and the date you accessed the resource. Second, the near bisection of the continent by the Equator results in a largely symmetrical arrangement of climatic zones on either side. Processes used to mine certain ores in large quantities, notably copper, also have increased contamination of the groundwater at other sites. Snow tends to be rare and sporadic in regions with this climate. A more accurate definition of a desert is a region in which the potential evaporation rate is twice as great as the precipitation. Much of the geographic study of the Gobi since then was undertaken by Soviet investigators; the Chinese and Mongolians, however, have become increasingly active since the 1960s. That means that the desert only gets 10 percent of the rain that a rainforest gets! Agriculture is developed only along the river valleys. European interest in the region was rekindled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Cold desert climates (BWk) usually feature hot (or warm in a few instances), dry summers, though summers are not typically as hot as hot desert climates. The dry subtropical climate is characterized by unusually high annual and diurnal temperature ranges, cold to cool winters and hot summers, and two precipitation maximums. Harry is a U.K.-based staff writer at Live Science. You cant miss this incredible Dates Festival held in the oasis of Erfoud near Ouarzazate. How we predict the weather? The Sahara has a dry, tropical climate that provides for mild winters. The Absheron Peninsula in eastern Azerbaijan is also an example of a cold desert climate. The Gobis fauna is varied, with such large mammals as wild camels, kulan (Equus hemionus), dzheiran gazelles, and dzeren (an antelope). Spring continues into April, with lovely temperatures ranging from 15C to 27C depending on the region. At night, find a cozy place to try traditional Moroccan cuisineanywhere near an open fire will dobut you'll want to focus your energy on activities during January's relatively short daylight hours, when the temperatures are pleasant for being outside. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The ancient Silk Road traversed the southern part of the Alxa Plateau and crossed the Gaxun Gobi as it skirted north and west around the Takla Makan Desert. The religious month of Ramadan usually falls between April and May. They can be hot and sandy like the Sahara, or cold and ice-covered like Antarctica. The traditional living quarters of the Mongol nomads are felt yurts and orgers (types of tent), while the Chinese farmers live in clay homes built from crude brick. Water vapor in the air traps heat close to the ground like a giant invisible blanket and stops it from dissipating into the atmosphere, according to World Atlas. Although precipitation is highly variable, it averages about 3 inches (76 millimetres) per year. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Most desert/arid climates receive between 25 and 200mm (1 and 8in) of rainfall annually,[3][4] although some of the most consistently hot areas of Central Australia, the Sahel and Guajira Peninsula can be, due to extreme potential evapotranspiration, classed as arid with the annual rainfall as high as 430 millimetres or 17 inches. The discovery of 7-million-year-old dune deposits throughout northern Chad in 2006, however, suggests that the region became arid during the Miocene Epoch (23 million to 5.3 million years ago). The coldest temperature recorded there is -10C on January 10, 1913. International Nomads Festival. The official weather station in Death Valley, United States reports 60mm (2.4in) annually, but in a 40-month period between 1931 and 1934 a total of just 16mm (0.63in) of rainfall was measured. The Sahara has rocky plateaus as well as sand dunes. And if youre looking for some cooler areas, head to the coastal cities of Essaouira and Tangier or the peaks of the High Atlas Mountains. For other uses, see, "Updated world map of the Kppen-Geiger climate classification", "Weather - Death Valley National Park (U.S. National Park Service)", "Why are polar regions not considered deserts? Youll likely find the sun shining and the flowers blooming when you visit Morocco in March. While some travellers avoid travelling during Ramadan as some businesses shut down, its a great time to visit if youre interested in different cultures and religions. var cdn = window.StacklaGoConnectConfig ? The average Sahara Desert temperature during the night is 25 degrees Fahrenheit or -4 degrees Celsius. The Sahara has rocky plateaus as well as sand dunes. After all, when the sun goes down on a tropical beach, you don't need to don a winter coat. But if youre looking for a change of scenery, I cant think of any place more beautiful than this land of sand, sunsets and camels. Kelaat-MGouna, known as the valley of roses, hosts this annual festival every year in May. From the Oasis Music Festival in Marrakesh to the Marriage Festival in Imilchil, or the LBoulevard Festival of Casablanca to TANJazz in Tangier, youre sure to find a festival to suit you during September in Morocco. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". (function (d) { You cant turn around without running into sand dunes that are as high as 300 feet tall with peaks sometimes reaching an elevation over 1 mile off sea level. The Sahara is one of the harshest environments on . With average temperatures ranging from 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) to 23 degress Celsuis, July and August are surely two scorching months in the Sahara Desert with an annual high temperature range at 36C-40C(97 F 104 F). Copyright Trafalgar Tours, all rights reserved. Composed of mostly ice flats, Antarctica has reached temperatures as low as -89C (-128.2F). SidmartinBio", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Desert_climate&oldid=1150209265, This page was last edited on 16 April 2023, at 22:03. t.type = 'text/javascript'; "There's a lot of different places to go to be warmer or cooler, especially when you're small," DeNardo told Live Science. Just remember to bring some warm clothes for those chilly nights. The temperatures are warm but not sweltering, and the rain is easing off. "It will become less consistent, you will have relatively wet years and relatively dry years," DeNardo said. The audio, illustrations, photos, and videos are credited beneath the media asset, except for promotional images, which generally link to another page that contains the media credit. It can be hard to imagine that a place like the Sahara desert could ever have been considered lush and fertile. From the ", Traveled to Morocco as a group in April, 2023, "Soufiane, our driver and day-to-day guide, had excellent food recommendations, kept us hydrated with fresh water in the car each day, and was a friendly and ", "Late to review. Subtropical deserts like the Sahara are what people generally imagine when they think about the desert. National Geographic Headquarters 1145 17th Street NW Washington, DC 20036. Next in importance are the large-horned cattle. The dry tropical climate is characterized by a strong annual temperature cycle following the declination of the sun; mild, dry winters; and a hot dry season preceding variable summer rains. While Morocco and the Sahara Desert are known for their scorching temperatures, it actually gets quite cold in winter. The Hautes Plaines, located in the northeastern section of Morocco and in Algeria is another major example of a cold desert climate. Climate of Antarctica - Wikipedia Sahara - Animal life | Britannica Sign up to our newsletter and receive $250 of FREE Trafalgar travel credit. During the 1990s, joint Mongolian-Russian-American archaeological expeditions excavated Paleolithic and Neolithic caves in the Mongolian Gobi. How fossils form? Winter weather: What's the coldest town in your state? - USA Today Morocco's Imperial Cities & the Sahara Desert - 13 Days See Casablanca, Fes, Essaouira, the Erg Chebbi Dunes and more on this well-rounded trip plan. Driest place. A number of factors influence the climate of the African continent. October means chilly fall temperatures in some parts of the Sahara. 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But have you ever wondered how or why these things occur? Lizards, chameleons, skinks, and cobras are found among the rocks and dunes. On the plateau and on the plains beneath the mountains, small bushlike vegetation occurs: Echinochloa (a type of succulent grass found in warm regions), yellowwood bean caper, winter fat (a shrub covered with densely matted hairs), nitre bush, and bushlike halophytic vegetation. Moroccan Independence Day. Researchers studying changes to rainfall in the Sahara region found that the desert has grown significantly over the past century due to climate change. Deserts are landscapes that receive little precipitation. Monthly Temperature and Precipitation from 1970 - 2000. The Sahara Desert temperature is usually between 30C and 50C during the day. Hot desert climates can be found in the deserts of North Africa such as the wide Sahara Desert, the Libyan Desert or the Nubian Desert; deserts of the Horn of Africa such as the Danakil Desert or the Grand Bara Desert; deserts of Southern Africa such as the Namib Desert or the Kalahari Desert; deserts of Western Asia such as the Arabian Desert, the Syrian Desert or the Dasht-e Lut; deserts of South Asia such as Dasht-e Kavir or the Thar Desert of India and Pakistan; deserts of the United States and Mexico such as the Mojave Desert, the Sonoran Desert or the Chihuahuan Desert; deserts of Australia such as the Simpson Desert or the Great Victoria Desert and many other regions.[7]. The sun sets and after its heat has dissipated, the majority of what is left becomes a cool breeze. Its also best to stay clear of the Sahara Desert in August as its simply too hot. RELATED CONTENT: The dream bucket list destinations that are open to travellers for 2022 trips. The Sahara Desert's vast, harsh landscape is home to little life, but hardy animals and vegetation can be found in sparse pockets like the Merzouga oasis in Morocco. Since desert conditions are so severe, the plants that live there need to have adaptations to compensate for the lack of water. August is another scorching month with daytime temperatures reaching the mid-40Cs. Enjoy the view of snow-capped peaks from a distance: in the desert, the weather is comfortable. "It tends to be a relatively small problem for them," said Dale DeNardo, an environmental physiologist at Arizona State University who specializes in desert animals. March heralds the start of spring in Morocco, with the weather warming up. During the same period, U.S. and European expeditions conducted paleontological research on exceptionally preserved dinosaur fossil assemblages in the desert dating to Late Cretaceous times (i.e., about 100 million to 66 million years ago). Sheep were seen standing on the ice-covered dunes on Wednesdayas temperatures dipped to 26.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Summers in the Sahara Desert are like living on a hot, humid day for most of your life. Indeed, Lakes Orog and Bntsagaan, in the easternmost Mongolian Altai, and Lake Ulaan, in the northwestern Gobi Altai, are but shadows of their former selves. The northern parts of the desert experience cold winters, while central areas and warm to mild weather during wintertime. [6] Some desert in the tropics consistently experience very high temperatures all year long, even during wintertime. Our local travel specialists have been recommended by. Arctic and Antarctic regions also receive very little precipitation during the year, owing to the exceptionally cold dry air freezing most precipitation; however, both of them are generally classified as having polar climates because they have average summer temperatures below 10C (50F) even if they have such desert-like features as intermittent streams, hypersaline lakes, and extremely barren terrain in unglaciated areas such as the McMurdo Dry Valleys of Antarctica. Kalahari Desert - Climate | Britannica To improve your online experience, we use cookies for enhanced functionality and analytics. The highest temperature ever recorded in the Sahara Desert is 58C. Desert biomes are the driest of all the biomes. The Sahara is dominated by two climatic regimes: a dry subtropical climate in the north and a dry tropical climate in the south.

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