Weather Alert: Extreme Heat and Thunderstorms Expected in Morocco
The General Directorate of Meteorology in Morocco has issued a warning regarding the continuation of relatively hot to hot weather conditions across various regions of the country in the upcoming days. Specifically, areas such as the interior plains, southeastern regions, and the southern provinces are expected to experience temperatures soaring between 40°C and 46°C, particularly on Wednesday and Thursday as temperatures are forecasted to rise locally.
According to information provided by Hussein Youabed, the communication officer for the meteorological department, this heatwave will coincide with unstable weather patterns in numerous regions, especially in the Atlas mountains, the Rif, the eastern region, and the southeastern areas during the afternoon hours. An updated orange alert has been issued, indicating that from Wednesday until Friday, temperatures are likely to range between 42°C and 45°C in areas such as Oued Ed-Dahab, Boujdour, Assa-Zag, Smara, Tata, and Zagora.
In addition, temperatures in other provinces, including Al Haouz, Marrakech, Sidi Bennour, Youssoufia, Beni Mellal, Taroudant, Kenitra, Sidi Kassem, Sidi Slimane, Khouribga, Settat, and several other regions, are expected to range from 38°C to 42°C. Youabed also indicated that there may be strong thunderstorms, potentially accompanied by hail and moderately strong winds, with scattered rainfall over regions like Saïss, the Ouled El-Mas, and the phosphates plateaus. Coastal areas and southern provinces may experience relatively strong winds, along with the possibility of localized dust and sand storms.
Looking ahead, the meteorological department anticipates a gradual decline in temperatures starting Friday, which should help alleviate the intense heat in certain areas, although relatively hot conditions will persist in the southeastern regions and the interior plains. The department also highlighted the continued chances of thunderstorms and rain showers during the afternoon hours, particularly in mountainous and eastern areas of the country.
Due to the localized nature of these thunderstorms, the General Directorate of Meteorology advises citizens to remain vigilant, especially during afternoons, and to avoid riverbeds and low-lying areas during stormy weather. The anticipated weather conditions are attributed to local atmospheric instability, particularly in the Atlas and eastern regions, which are conducive to the development of thunderstorm clouds due to surface heating, coupled with the presence of cold pockets in the upper atmosphere, enhanced by the mountainous terrain which facilitates vertical air movement.
According to the meteorological source, these unstable clouds are expected to form during the afternoons, potentially resulting in localized thunderstorms that may be intense at times, accompanied by hail and gusty winds, especially over the High and Middle Atlas, the Rif, and the eastern region, with a limited extension to adjacent areas. The General Directorate of Meteorology forecasts that thunderstorm activity will remain local and variable from one region to another.
As reported by hespress.com.
