The desert air is considered the driest in the world, but weather and rainfall vary throughout the different regions of the Sahara. That means there are all kinds of weather and seasons throughout the year. Despite these rapid temperature swings, desert animals are well adapted for the desert's extreme temperature changes. Deserts get about 250 millimeters (10 inches) of rain per yearthe least amount of rain of all of the biomes. The average daily temperature in Marrakesh is around 28C, but temperatures can range from 15C and 35C from the mountains to the desert. t.type = 'text/javascript'; The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world and the third-largest desert overall, behind the cold deserts of Antarctica and the Arctic. This symmetry is, however, imperfect because of a third factorthe great east . It is even home to some people, with several major cities located there, including Egypts Cairo, Libyas Tripoli, and Malis Timbuktu. At night, desert temperatures fall to an average of -3.9 degrees celsius (about 25 degrees fahrenheit). Do camels really have water in their humps? It attracts local and international acts from all kinds of genres and the performances take place anywhere from the alleyways of the Fes Medina to stages around historical landmarks. The daytime temperature averages 38C while in some deserts it can get down to -4C at night. Marrakech & Grand Tour of the Sahara Desert - 6 Days Explore the peaks of the High Atlas mountains and the vast sandy landscapes of the Sahara on this outdoorsy tour. And as autumn rolls in, the Sahara Desert also becomes much more manageable. In other words, reptiles can use this energy elsewhere, like hunting. If you head into the mountains, youre likely to see the snow melting and the wildflowers, cherry trees and almond trees blossoming. Photographer Karim Bouchetata took incredible photos of ice covering the sand in the small Saharan desert town. Africa & The Middle East | Destination Guides, Africa & The Middle East | People & Stories. He studied Marine Biology at the University of Exeter (Penryn campus) and after graduating started his own blog site "Marine Madness," which he continues to run with other ocean enthusiasts. Get ready for it: June is the start of summer in the Sahara, the driest desert in the world. This is another amazing music festival, but this one is held in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. The drainage of the desert is largely underground; surface rivers have little constant flow. The reason is that they both see little precipitation during the course of a year, typically around 25 centimeters (10 inches), or less. Its usually held in March in the Draa Valley. European interest in the region was rekindled in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 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. Some are superhot in the day. During colder periods of the year, night-time temperatures can drop to freezing or below due to the exceptional radiation loss under the clear skies. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Held on 18 November, this day commemorates the day Morocco gained independence from Spain and France in 1956. What causes earthquakes or which animals glow in the dark? The desert kingdom can experience highs of up to 122 degrees during the hot season, but this month temperatures fell below 32 degrees. Held in Essaouira, this incredible festival brings Gnaoua musicians from all over the world to celebrate their beautiful music. Early January is a popular time for tourism in the desert: lots of travelers plan trips over the Christmas and New Year holidays, so prices for tours and accommodations are higher than usual. Morocco is a unique destination and", "Our family vacation to Morocco was amazing! Researchers studying changes to rainfall in the Sahara region found that the desert has grown significantly over the past century due to climate change. If you have questions about licensing content on this page, please contact ngimagecollection@natgeo.com for more information and to obtain a license. Despite these temperatures, the Sahara is home to olive trees, antelope, jerboa, scorpions, jackals, and hyenas. If you venture into the heart of the Atacama Desert (the world's driest desert), you will find the town of Quillagua; the driest place in the world. Based on fossil evidence, the Sahara and Antarctica appear to have been the homes of many plants and animals in the past. Cold desert climates are typically found at higher altitudes than hot desert climates and are usually drier than hot desert climates. The temperatures can still reach up to 33C so it's still a great time to go to the beach. 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. Clear. In the cities, it will typically be sunny and cool, but theres also a good chance of rain. 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. Next in importance are the large-horned cattle. They can be hot and sandy like the Sahara, or cold and ice-covered like Antarctica. You cannot download interactives. [6] Some desert in the tropics consistently experience very high temperatures all year long, even during wintertime. The main occupation of the inhabitants is nomadic cattle raising, though agriculture is predominant in regions where the Chinese are concentrated. Though you'll have crowds to contend with in the first week of the month, the latter part of January is a quiet time to visit. During the summer, the temperature in the Sahara can reach over 50C (122F), making it one of the hottest deserts on . Annuals are referred to as ephemerals because some can complete an entire life cycle in weeks. This includes the record of 56.7C (134.1F) in Death Valley, which is currently considered the highest temperature recorded on Earth. In arid deserts like the Sahara and the Atacama Desert in Chile, the humidity the amount of water vapor in the air is practically zero, and unlike sand, water has a huge capacity to store heat. You can also go exploring in the Sahara Desert or the mountains, although the rain is beginning to increase in the northern mountain ranges. If you have questions about how to cite anything on our website in your project or classroom presentation, please contact your teacher. At the time of high sun (summer), scorching, desiccating heat prevails. This is because of what we know now about climate change, but in the past it was not uncommon for civilizations to flourish in this region. Starting with the superb itinerary by Sharon to our wonderful guide Amnay and driver Waleed. Text on this page is printable and can be used according to our Terms of Service. Festivals. "We had waited for 3 years for this trip to happen. Skiing. Family Adventure in Morocco: Mountains, Souks, Kasbahs & How to Get from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert, How to Get from Casablanca to Chefchaouen, Morocco's Sahara Desert in January: Travel Tips, Weather, and More. Reptiles, the most abundant and diverse animal group in the desert, are well adapted to extreme temperature variation because they are cold blooded, or ectothermic, which means they do not need to invest energy in maintaining a constant body temperature. The desert covers most of the North African countries, including Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya and Sudan. If youre a jazz fan, you cant miss this international jazz festival. (Weather station: Asyut Airport, Egypt). If a media asset is downloadable, a download button appears in the corner of the media viewer. In 2022, Ramadan will begin April 2nd and ends May 1st. Be aware that spring sandstorms are common in the Sahara Desert during March. A number of factors influence the climate of the African continent. Our local travel specialists have been recommended by. Unlike hot desert climates, cold desert climates tend to feature cold, dry winters. First, most of the continentwhich extends from 35 S to about 37 N latitudelies within the tropics. 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. Can plants and animals survive in the Sahara Desert? The ultramarathon is about 250 kilometers . The 12 Best Casablanca Beaches . Daily temperature ranges are considerable during both the winter and summer months. Unlike other regions in which water vapor cools down air and soil to create an even gradient between warm days and cold nights, there are no bodies of water here for that effect to happen so quickly transition from hot sandstone rocks or dry leaves on ground have made this area one of earths hottest! See more current weather Annual Weather Averages in Asyut Airport Held every year in Marrakesh to celebrate cinema, there are all kinds of films, workshops and events running, and dont miss the movie projections on the main square of Jemaa El Fna. If you're prepared for cold and snow, you could also plan to spend a day skiing in the nearby Atlas mountains. W", Traveled to Morocco as a couple in April, 2023, "Had the most amazing 10 day trip throughout Morocco! 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. Youll get a real Moroccan experience here with folklore art and music, traditional horse riding performances, and more. 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. November starts to ease into winter, offering cooler days and fewer crowds. 1996 - 2023 National Geographic Society. But their ability to fly long distances between water sources or to scavenge food, means they don't have to worry as much about conserving water like other desert animals. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, However, temperatures in the Sahara are not constant; there is variability according to the geographical areas and their climatic characteristics. Festival of Roses. Sign up to our newsletter and receive $250 of FREE Trafalgar travel credit. The best time for skiing in Morocco falls from mid-January to mid-February. Almond Blossom Festival in Tafraoute. 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. For other uses, see, "BWk" redirects here. When there is no water vapor in the atmosphere, sunlight can be absorbed by rock and sand much easiercausing an increase of at least 10 degrees over a short period of time! The northern parts of the desert experience cold winters, while central areas and warm to mild weather during wintertime. And how do native animals and plants deal with such wild extremes? Ouzoud Falls The lakes and pools of the Sahara also contain algae and brine shrimp and other crustaceans. However, freezing temperatures at night can be deadly for plants because water freezes and expands within their tissues, which can cause irreversible damage. It lasts for five days and youll see both local and international acts performing. 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]. 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. 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. We've received your submission. Im not saying that you should pack your bags and move to the Sahara Desert. The itinerary was well put together with appropriate ti", "We just had the most phenomenal trip in Morocco with the help of KimKim and our driver - Samir from Original Travel. What Electric Power Plugs Are Used in Morocco. Hot desert climates (BWh) are typically found under the subtropical ridge in the lower middle latitudes or the subtropics, often between 20 and 33 north and south latitudes. Monthly Temperature and Precipitation from 1970 - 2000. "I call it cheating because they don't really experience the limitations of a desert," DeNardo said. Jazzablanca. RELATED CONTENT: Our guide to everything you need to know before travelling to Morocco. Hot. These are the words typically used to describe the desert. This last feature is seen in sections of Africa and Arabia. Some desert plant species have a short life cycle of a few weeks that lasts only during periods of rain. How can both the Sahara and Antarctica be deserts? Snow rarely melts on most parts of the continent, and, after being compressed, becomes the glacier ice that makes up the ice sheet. On some occasions, temperatures as low as 36F(-33 C) have been reported. At night, the average temperature is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius. Snowy conditions make much of the High Atlas mountains impassable and snow falls heavily in many of the smaller villages. Many deserts were formed 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. Planning A Moroccan Wedding In fact the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134F (56.6C) in California and Nevada's Death Valley. It can be hard to imagine that a place like the Sahara desert could ever have been considered lush and fertile. }(document)); This website uses cookies. But when the weather turns cold during winter months in northern parts of the desert, its usually very harsh and can get as low as -36 to -52F (-33 C). New Year celebrations. Antarcticas waters are abundant with sea life, including fish, krill, and sea sponges. Professor Sumant Nigam, an atmospheric and oceanic scientist at the University of Maryland and the senior author of the study, said: Our results are specific to the Sahara, but they likely have implications for the worlds other deserts., It comes as parts of the UK are braced for days of downpours, with forecasters warning of fast-flowing flooding causing a danger to life.. Most precipitation falls from December through March. In the northwest region of the desert, in Morocco, January is the middle of winter, and temperatures turn bitterly cold in the nearby High Atlas mountains. Contamination with arsenic has also become a major problem where water in wells has been depleted, and thousands of people have been affected. Some locations in the Sahara Desert such as Kufra, Libya record an even drier 0.86mm (0.034in) of rainfall annually. Whether you want to go hiking, cycling, or quad biking, March is a great month to do it. To help you decide when to travel to Morocco and the Sahara Desert, read our month-by-month guide to discover the weather and the best events throughout the year.
Wedding Hashtags For P Last Names,
Articles W