Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North Africa
morocco in the spring morocco in the spring
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Trans Sahara Routes.

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 21 Feb 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: coventry uk
Posts: 150
morocco in the spring
im thinking of going to the atlas mountains in spring in my land cruiser with a roof tent. First question is whats the night time temperature there in April amd is there are book on 4x4 routes in the Atlas and sahara..thanks
__________________
jeff watts
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 21 Feb 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: coventry uk
Posts: 150
sorry just seen post on "piste de Maroc" which answers my second question...right wheres my English/french dictionary??
__________________
jeff watts
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 21 Feb 2005
Chris Scott's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2000
Posts: 4,934
No need for a dictionary Jeff - click the 'Sahara New Edition Out Now' box flashing above left. 13 meaty Mk desert routes in the there (though scores more in the 3 Gandini books).

Chris S

Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21 Feb 2005
Runner's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 302
Jeff - cold. Snow wouldnt be surprising, especially higher up and on western or northern slopes. Youll be fine, but take a decent sleeping bag. Its been rightly said by the Berber that Morocco is a cold land with a hot sun!
__________________
'91 LR 110 Def/Disco hybrid "Elsa"
Bring me the horizon....
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21 Feb 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Oslo, Norway/ Provence, France
Posts: 99
Last year I crossed the Atlas from Ouarzazate to Marrakesh the first week in May. It was freezing. -2C and snowing.
__________________
Dizzie
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22 Feb 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 82
@ Jeff: same as Dizzie and Runner. Could even be risky... you're better off south of the Atlas in april.

@ Chris: what a shame! discouraging people to improve their french!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 22 Feb 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: coventry uk
Posts: 150
thanks all perhaps wimp out and go to southern morocco, ill have another look at your bok chris i used it as a bible when driving through to south africa . My french is good providing no one cuts my hands off!! deux comme ca!! easyyyyyyyyy!!
__________________
jeff watts
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 22 Feb 2005
roamingyak's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Portugal
Posts: 1,134
I'm in Er Rachidia currently and this year Morocco is having a very cold winter. Lots of snow on the mountains etc.

I was here last year over winter when it was much warmer, and the family I am staying with have had an influx of reletives coming from up north to avoid the snow/cold. It even snowed in Er Rachidia a few weeks ago.

But I guess it will warm up as the weeks go by...
__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23 Feb 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Southern England
Posts: 205
Crossed the atlas from Middelt to Tinerhir in early april 2003, was about 8 deg C at 2500 metres, about the same last year by day, maybe +2 by night on the main road across the atlas between Meknes and Errachidia. No snow except on the high peaks, most of us were reasonably comfortable in tents. Some of the passes are not officially open until after the winter months, which can be april or may - maybe it would be prudent to seek local advice on weather/piste conditions prior to taking mountain pistes??

Andrew.



[This message has been edited by Andrew Baker (edited 23 February 2005).]
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 24 Feb 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Suffolk, England
Posts: 109
Did the same route as Dizzie but the reverse direction in April last year by bike - no snow and not particularly cold. Same crossing from Errichidia to Meknes. Obviously with weather anywhere, it's all in the hands of the gods!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10 Mar 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 346
Isn't there a site with weather data for the cities east of the atlas, like quarzazate?
i am planning to go agadir-quarzazate-oujda-spain in march and april and am expecting temps from 10-25 degrees C.
Iwould expect the very low temps experienced in the spring, to be only in the mountains?

------------------
If Life Gets Boring, Risk It !
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 14 Apr 2005
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Cardiff, UK
Posts: 18
For the record, the weather on our trip in late March/early April 2005 was pleasantly warm (low 20s) with hot sunshine. A few showers up north. It's fine if you can keep moving or find shade, but not too bad even if you are out in the sun.

Some rain figures I found on-line:

Meknes (north-ish) 79 mm of rain in March.
Rabat (coast) 66mm during 10 rain days in March.
Beni-Mellal (inland) 10mm.
Marrakech (near mountains) 36mm during 6 rain days in March.
Ouarzazate (eastern side) 10mm.
Errachidia (desert) 20mm.
Biskra (Algerian desert) 18mm during 5 rain-days in March.

(For reference, Cardiff averages 63mm rain in March.) These figures were drawn from various sources.
http://uk.weather.com/search/drilldo...ter=M&letter=R
Click on the letters to see other towns and cities.

http://weather.yahoo.com/regional/MOXX.html
Click on a town, then on "Records & Averages" (metric figures are available too.)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world/c...ml?tt=TT000420
There are links to detailed tables of temp/rainfall etc.

Sites that show daytime temperatures indicate that temperatures everywhere are normally in the low to mid-20s in the day. Thermals will be needed only for the mountain passes. You may know that Nick Sanders' group got stuck in snow when crossing the Rif last year!
__________________
Dee Duble Yuh
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 15 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Oxford, U.K.
Posts: 625
And so is Moroc not a good place to visit in December/January?

I was planning a trip then, but have no heating in the car and am now worried about the amount of snow that the Atlas gets....

Who has managed a trip across the mountains to the south in Dec/Jan?
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 17 Apr 2005
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 346
I just returned from Marokko. Agadir, erfoud, merzougameknes, ceuta. In 2200meter the morning temp was 5 degree C, but no snow, in the desert it was 25-30 in the afternoon. I brought a good sleeping bag, a windjacket, a fleece jacket, a woolen cap, a pair of thin gloves, long trosers, shorts, thin sports t-shirt and I used it all, at some point or another. All over, in the desert, in the mountains, morning temps could be low. The sun would warm considerably, but if there was a wind, it could be cold or cool.

------------------
If Life Gets Boring, Risk It !
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 05:30.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top