Last updated: June 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Marrakesh, Morocco is crucial for safeguarding your skin and health while enjoying this vibrant city. With the sun reaching its peak intensity during the midday hours, it’s essential to comprehend the UV levels which can cause sunburn and long-term skin damage. Marrakesh, characterized by its hot semi-arid climate (BSh), sees increased UV exposure, particularly between 11 AM and 3 PM, when values can soar to a staggering 12, indicating a high risk of harm. Being aware of these UV levels empowers you to take preventive measures, ensuring you can explore the beauty of Marrakesh while keeping your skin safe and healthy.
The UV Index starts off gentle in the early hours, peaking at 1 at 07:00 and remaining low at 08:00. As the sun climbs higher, the intensity increases, reaching 3 by 09:00 and hitting a more noticeable 5 at 10:00. The midday sun becomes increasingly fierce, soaring to 8 by 11:00, then reaching its blistering maximum of 12 at 12:00 and 13:00. Even as the afternoon unfolds, the UV Index remains high at 11 and 12 until 15:00, before gradually tapering off to 8 at 16:00. As dusk approaches, the levels decline, settling back to 3 by 18:00 and returning to a safe 1 by 19:00. It's vital to protect your skin during those peak hours, especially between 11:00 and 15:00!
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 11:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 13:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 14:00 | 12 | extreme | 10 min |
| 15:00 | 11 | extreme | 10 min |
| 16:00 | 8 | very high | 15 min |
| 17:00 | 5 | moderate | 30 min |
| 18:00 | 3 | moderate | 30 min |
| 19:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
The UV Index experiences significant seasonal changes, peaking from March through August, where it reaches extreme levels. Specifically, May and June record the highest UV Index of 12, indicating a critical risk for skin damage with a burn time of just 10 minutes. July and August also maintain a high UV Index of 11. In contrast, the fall and winter months see a decline, with January and December reflecting a moderate UV Index of 4 and 5, respectively, allowing for longer exposure times of 30 minutes. Given these variations, it is crucial for visitors and residents to take precautions during high-risk months (March to October), including seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen regularly to prevent harmful UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casablanca UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Sale UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Rabat UVI | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Fes UVI | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Marrakesh | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 |