Rising Temperatures Due to Desert Low Pressure System
The General Directorate of Meteorology in Morocco has attributed the noticeable rise in temperatures expected in the coming days to the activity of a desert low pressure system originating from the Sahara Desert. This phenomenon coincides with the ongoing period known locally as "Smaïm," which is characterized by severe heat waves. The official meteorological body continues to issue warnings regarding extreme heat, with the latest orange-level warning indicating that temperatures could reach as high as 47 degrees Celsius in certain regions over the period from today, August 6, until Saturday.
Weather Forecast and Cultural Significance
According to Khalid Al-Ghaz, head of the General Forecast Department at the meteorological agency, the activity of the desert low pressure system remains the primary factor behind the increasing temperatures. He elaborated that the period from May to September every year features a significant presence of the Sahara Desert low, which plays a crucial role in the summer weather patterns observed in North Africa. During this time, extremely hot air masses typically move from tropical regions towards higher latitudes. In Morocco, these air masses usually cross the Atlas Mountains, and upon descending on the northern side, they undergo additional heating due to a dynamic mechanism known as the foehn effect. This process significantly amplifies the recorded temperatures, especially in the plains and plateaus located north of the Atlas Mountains.
Al-Ghaz also noted that the Sahara low pressure system is not a static weather system; its intensity and geographical position change throughout the summer due to various atmospheric mechanisms. This variability largely explains the alternation between periods of intense heat and extreme heat waves, alongside intervals where temperatures remain close to seasonal averages or, at times, even lower. In this context, Al-Ghaz highlighted that such fluctuations are well recognized within Moroccan cultural traditions, where elders distinguish between extreme heat periods referred to as "Smaïm" and more temperate summer phases.
The meteorological agency has indicated that temperatures are expected to range between 44 and 47 degrees Celsius in areas such as Taroudant, Zagora, Tata, Assa-Zag, Smara, Boujdour, and Oued Eddahab from August 6 to 8. Additionally, temperatures between 42 and 44 degrees Celsius are anticipated in the regions of Beni Mellal, Fkih Ben Salah, Settat, and Qalaat Seraghna on August 7, while temperatures are expected to range from 39 to 42 degrees Celsius in the province of Essaouira on the same day. The agency also issued warnings about possible thunderstorms accompanied by hail and strong winds, with rainfall amounts ranging from 20 to 35 millimeters in several provinces starting from 1 PM until 11 PM on Thursday.
As reported by hespress.com.
