Editing Morocco (section)

=== Climate ===
[[File:Morocco Köppen.svg|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] climate types in Morocco]]
In area, Morocco's climate is mainly "[[Mediterranean climate#Hot-summer Mediterranean climate|hot summer Mediterranean]]" (''Csa'') and "[[hot desert climate|hot desert]]" (''BWh'') zones.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/country/morocco|title=Morocco - Summary|publisher=The World Bank Group|website=ClimateChangeKnowledgePortal.WorldBankGroup.org|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

Central mountain ranges and the effects of the cold [[Canary Current]], off the [[Atlantic]] coast, are significant factors in Morocco's relatively large variety of vegetation zones, ranging from lush forests in the northern and central mountains, giving way to steppe, semi-arid and desert areas in the eastern and southern regions. The Moroccan coastal plains experience moderate temperatures even in summer.<ref name="climate">{{cite web|url=https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pa00mtzd.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231231120312/https://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/pa00mtzd.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 December 2023|title=Climate Change Risk Profile Morocco|publisher=United States Agency for International Development|website=[[USAID]]|access-date=June 14, 2024}}</ref>

In the Rif, Middle and High Atlas Mountains, there exist several different types of climates: Mediterranean along the coastal lowlands, giving way to a humid temperate climate at higher elevations with sufficient moisture to allow for the growth of different species of oaks, moss carpets, junipers, and Atlantic fir which is a royal conifer tree [[Endemism|endemic]] to Morocco.<ref name=gaussen>Gaussen, H. (1964). Genre ''Cedrus''. Les Formes Actuelles. ''Trav. Lab. For. Toulouse'' T2 V1 11: 295-320</ref> In the valleys, fertile soils and high precipitation allow for the growth of thick and lush forests. Cloud forests can be found in the west of the Rif Mountains and Middle Atlas Mountains. At higher elevations, the climate becomes alpine in character, and can sustain ski resorts.<ref name="climate"/>

Southeast of the Atlas mountains, near the Algerian borders, the climate becomes very dry, with long and hot summers. Extreme heat and low moisture levels are especially pronounced in the lowland regions east of the Atlas range due to the rain shadow effect of the mountain system. The southeasternmost portions of Morocco are very hot, and include portions of the [[Sahara]] desert, where vast swathes of sand dunes and rocky plains are dotted with lush [[Oasis|oases]].<ref name="city_climate">{{cite journal|title=Spatiotemporal Thermal Variations in Moroccan Cities: A Comparative Analysis|pmid=37448080|doi=10.3390/s23136229|author=Ahmed Derdouri|journal=Sensors|date=2023 |volume=23 |issue=13 |page=6229 |doi-access=free |pmc=10346751 |bibcode=2023Senso..23.6229D }}</ref>

In contrast to the Sahara region in the south, coastal [[plain]]s are fertile in the central and northern regions of the country, and comprise the backbone of the country's agriculture, in which 95% of the population live. The direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean, the proximity to mainland Europe and the long stretched Rif and Atlas mountains are the factors of the rather European-like climate in the northern half of the country. That makes Morocco a country of contrasts. [[Forest|Forested areas]] cover about 12% of the country while arable land accounts for 18%. Approximately 5% of Moroccan land is irrigated for agricultural use.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://climateknowledgeportal.worldbank.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/15725-WB_Morocco%20Country%20Profile-WEB.pdf|title=Climate Change Risk Profile Morocco|publisher=World Bank Group|accessdate=June 14, 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Merzouga sahara.jpg|thumb|Landscape of the [[Erg Chebbi]]]]
[[File:Djebel Toubkal 01.jpg|thumb|[[Atlas Mountains]]]]
In general, apart from the southeast regions (pre-Saharan and desert areas), Morocco's climate and geography are very similar to the Iberian peninsula. Thus Morocco has the following climate zones:
* '''Mediterranean:''' Dominates the coastal Mediterranean regions of the country, along the (500&nbsp;km strip), and some parts of the Atlantic coast. Summers are hot to moderately hot and dry, average highs are between {{convert|29|C|1}} and {{convert|32|C|1}}. Winters are generally mild and wet, daily average temperatures hover around {{convert|9|C|1}} to {{convert|11|C|1}}, and average low are around {{convert|5|C|1}} to {{convert|8|C|1}}, typical to the coastal areas of the west Mediterranean. Annual Precipitation in this area varies from 600 to 800&nbsp;mm in the west to 350–500&nbsp;mm in the east. Notable cities that fall into this zone are [[Tangier]], [[Tetouan]], [[Al Hoceima]], [[Nador]] and [[Safi, Morocco|Safi]].
* '''Sub-Mediterranean:''' It influences cities that show Mediterranean characteristics, but remain fairly influenced by other climates owing to their either relative elevation, or direct exposure to the North Atlantic Ocean. There are thus two main influencing climates:

:* ''Oceanic:'' Determined by the cooler summers, where highs are around {{convert|27|C|1}} and in terms of the Essaouira region, are almost always around {{convert|21|C|1}}. The medium daily temperatures can get as low as {{convert|19|C|1}}, while winters are chilly to mild and wet. Annual precipitation varies from 400 to 700&nbsp;mm. Notable cities that fall into this zone are [[Rabat]], [[Casablanca]], [[Kénitra]], [[Salé]] and [[Essaouira]].<ref name="city_climate"/>

:* ''Continental:'' Determined by the bigger gap between highs and lows, that results in hotter summers and colder winters, than found in typical Mediterranean zones. In summer, daily highs can get as high as {{convert|40|C|1}} during heat waves, but usually are between {{convert|32|C|1}} and {{convert|36|C|1}}. However, temperatures drop as the sun sets. Night temperatures usually fall below {{convert|20|C|1}}, and sometimes as low as {{convert|10|C|1}} in mid-summer. Winters are cooler, and can get below the freezing point multiple times between December and February. Also, snow can fall occasionally. Fès for example registered {{convert|-8|C|1}} in winter 2005. Annual precipitation varies between 500 and 900&nbsp;mm. Notable cities are [[Fès]], [[Meknès]], [[Chefchaouen]], [[Beni-Mellal]] and [[Taza]].<ref name="city_climate"/>
* '''Continental:''' Dominates the mountainous regions of the north and central parts of the country, where summers are hot to very hot, with highs between {{convert|32|C|1}} and {{convert|36|C|1}}. Winters on the other hand are cold, and lows usually go beyond the freezing point. And when cold damp air comes to Morocco from the northwest, for a few days, temperatures sometimes get below {{convert|-5|C|1}}. It often snows abundantly in this part of the country. Precipitation varies between 400 and 800&nbsp;mm. Notable cities are [[Khenifra]], [[Imilchil]], [[Midelt]] and [[Azilal]].
* '''Alpine:''' Found in some parts of the Middle Atlas Mountain range and the eastern part of the High Atlas Mountain range. Summers are very warm to moderately hot, and winters are longer, cold and snowy. Precipitation varies between 400 and 1200&nbsp;mm. In summer highs barely go above {{convert|30|C|1}}, and lows are cool and average below {{convert|15|C|1}}. In winters, highs average around {{convert|8|C|1}}, and lows go well below the freezing point. In this part of the country, there are many ski resorts, such as [[Oukaïmeden|Oukaimeden]] and Mischliefen. Notable cities are [[Ifrane]], [[Azrou]] and [[Boulmane]].
* '''Semi-arid:''' This type of climate is found in the south of the country and some parts of the east of the country, where rainfall is lower and annual precipitations are between 200 and 350&nbsp;mm. However, one usually finds Mediterranean characteristics in those regions, such as the precipitation pattern and thermal attributes. Notable cities are [[Agadir]], [[Marrakesh]] and [[Oujda]].<ref name="city_climate"/>

South of Agadir and east of Jerada near the Algerian borders, arid and desert climate starts to prevail.

Due to Morocco's proximity to the Sahara desert and the North Sea of the Atlantic Ocean, two phenomena occur to influence the regional seasonal temperatures, either by raising temperatures by 7–8 degrees Celsius when [[sirocco]] blows from the east creating heatwaves, or by lowering temperatures by 7–8 degrees Celsius when cold damp air blows from the northwest, creating a coldwave or cold spell. However, these phenomena do not last for more than two to five days on average.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Impact of climate change on extremes events in Morocco|author1=W. Hammoudy|author2=R. Ilmen|author3=M. Sinan|journal=IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.|date=2022 |volume=1090 |issue=1 |page=012034 |doi=10.1088/1755-1315/1090/1/012034|bibcode=2022E&ES.1090a2034H |doi-access=free}}</ref>

[[Climate change in Morocco|Climate change]] is expected to significantly impact Morocco on multiple dimensions. As a coastal country with hot and arid climates, environmental impacts are likely to be wide and varied. As of the 2019 [[Climate Change Performance Index]], Morocco was ranked second in [[Climate change in Sweden|preparedness behind Sweden]].<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=Morocco: Ranked second worldwide in climate change control|url=https://www.afrik21.africa/en/morocco-ranked-second-worldwide-in-climate-change-control/|date=30 April 2020|website=Afrik 21|language=en-US|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=10 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210154206/https://www.afrik21.africa/en/morocco-ranked-second-worldwide-in-climate-change-control/|url-status=live}}</ref>