North Africa in October: Weather, Crowds & What to Expect
Climate Map for October
Average temperature across North Africa in October.
Country Weather in October
| Country | High | Low | Rain | UV | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Egypt | 30° | 18° | 1 mm | high | Mild |
| Algeria | 25° | 14° | 68 mm | moderate | Mild |
| Morocco | 24° | 15° | 34 mm | high | Mild |
| Tunisia | 25° | 15° | 59 mm | moderate | Mild |
| Libya | 27° | 18° | 38 mm | high | Mild |
| Mauritania | 35° | 22° | 3 mm | very high | Hot |
| Western Sahara | 28° | 18° | 3 mm | high | Mild |
Representative figures from each country's largest city. High / low are average daily temperatures (°C); “Feels” allows for humidity.
Mediterranean Coast (northern Morocco, northern Algeria, Tunisia, coastal Libya, northern Egypt)
October brings a clear shift: Atlantic depressions begin to reappear, producing wetter spells and cooling temperatures especially in Morocco and Algeria, while Tunisia and Libya enjoy longer dry stretches. Coastal days are mild - low to mid-teens to low-20s - and the first strong chergui/khamsin events are possible though less frequent than spring. Pack a compact umbrella for sudden showers and expect museums and sites to be far less crowded than in summer.
Atlas & Rif Highlands (Morocco, northern Algeria, Tunisia)
Late autumn in November turns brisk - rainfall increases on the Tell Atlas and Rif, and higher routes become muddy or snow-prone. Visitor numbers fall and many seasonal mountain services wind down; only well-equipped hikers should attempt multi-day routes. The appeal then is local culture: autumn harvests, fewer tourists and warm guesthouse cooking.
Sahara Desert & Oases (Western Sahara, Mauritania, southern Morocco, southern Algeria, southern Libya, Egyptian Western Desert)
October is one of the best months for Sahara travel: days are warm and nights cool pleasantly, making long treks, camel rides and dune camping comfortable; places such as Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are lively with visitors. Visibility is clearer after the dusty summer months and daylight hours are long enough for full-day excursions. Bring layered nightswear - clear skies mean sharp nighttime cooling in the open desert.
Nile Valley & Delta (Egypt - Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan)
October often feels like early summer: days are warm and comfortable across Cairo and the Delta and pleasantly hot in Luxor and Aswan without the extreme highs of July. Tourist numbers begin to rise again and hotel availability along the Nile tightens toward winter, so early booking pays off. The climate favors long sightseeing days and comfortable evenings on river terraces.
Red Sea Coast & Eastern Desert (Egypt’s Red Sea resorts, eastern Libya/Cyrenaica coast)
October cools gradually and brings still-stable sea conditions with very good visibility and pleasant surface temperatures; many liveaboards run long itineraries in October and November. Land temperatures are comfortable for combined desert trips and diving, and shoulder-season crowds make booking easier. Pack a light jacket for evening boat decks and enjoy long daylight hours for exploration.