Severe Heat Wave Grips the Maghreb Region
A formidable heat dome is currently enveloping Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, resulting in exceptionally high temperatures ranging from 45°C to an alarming 48°C. This oppressive heat is expected to persist at least until Sunday, significantly affecting daily life and health in these areas. The intense heat is projected to extend its reach into southern Italy and southeastern France, where temperatures may surpass 40°C this weekend. Moreover, forecasts suggest that this extreme weather pattern could linger into the middle of next week, especially in the interior regions of the Maghreb.
Impact of the Heat Dome
The heatwave, fueled by a powerful anticyclone, is compressing and heating the air mass, while a Saharan thermal depression continually feeds in hot continental air. This setup not only prevents weather disturbances but also favors an unusually dry and sunny climate. Consequently, this weekend, temperatures will remain excessively high across the Balearic Islands, Sardinia, southern Italy, Corsica, and southeastern France, with some areas experiencing prolonged heat exceeding 40°C on Saturday and Sunday. Sardinia and Sicily are currently under red alert due to the fierce heat expected through the end of the week.
By Sunday, maximum temperatures are forecasted to frequently reach between 42°C and 46°C in the interior of Morocco, while northern and central Algeria may see temperatures between 45°C and 48°C, with localized peaks even higher. Tunisia is also facing extreme heat, particularly in its interior regions, where temperatures are expected to mirror those in Morocco. Notably, coastal areas may also experience temperatures exceeding 40°C, representing a significant deviation of 5 to 10°C above seasonal norms, and in some locations, it could be as much as 12°C higher, marking an extraordinary heat event for the Maghreb.
While a slight decrease in temperatures may be on the horizon for the Atlantic coast of Morocco, the extreme heat is likely to persist in the interior regions for the foreseeable future, as long as the heat dome remains firmly in place. Projections indicate that this extreme heat could continue at least until the middle of next week.
As reported by actualite.lachainemeteo.com.
