Extreme Weather Conditions Expected in Morocco
According to the General Directorate of Meteorology, Morocco is set to experience persistently high temperatures over the upcoming days, particularly in the internal plains, southeast regions, and southern provinces. The forecast indicates that temperatures could soar between 40°C to 46°C in certain areas, with a notable rise expected locally on Wednesday and Thursday.
Hussein Youabed, the communication officer of the meteorological department, shared these insights with the electronic news platform Hespress. He noted that alongside the heat, various regions, especially the Atlas Mountains, Rif, eastern region, and southeast, will experience a state of atmospheric instability and thunderstorms during the afternoon hours. An updated orange alert was issued, indicating that starting from Wednesday through Friday, temperatures in regions such as Oued Eddahab, Boujdour, Assa-Zag, Smara, Tata, and Zagora are expected to range between 42°C and 45°C.
Forecasted Rain Showers and Thunderstorms
During this same period, temperatures in the provinces of Rhamna, Marrakech, Sidi Ben Nour, Youssoufia, Beni Mellal, Taroudant, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Khouribga, Settat, Qalaat Sraghna, Khmissat, Fkih Ben Salah, Meknes, Khenifra, Fez, Moulay Yacoub, Taounate, Larache, Wazan, Chichaoua, and Sale are anticipated to fall between 38°C and 42°C. Youabed warned that powerful thunderstorms could occur locally, potentially accompanied by hail and gusty winds, along with scattered showers expected over the Saïs, Oulmès plateau, and phosphate hills. Coastal areas and southern provinces may experience strong winds that could lead to dust and sand being blown around locally.
He also mentioned that temperatures are expected to gradually decline starting Friday, which will help alleviate some of the heat conditions in certain areas. However, relatively hot conditions will persist in the southeast and southern provinces, as well as in the internal plains. The likelihood of rain showers and thunderstorms will continue during the afternoons in mountainous and eastern regions.
Given the localized nature of these thunderstorms, the General Directorate of Meteorology advises citizens to remain vigilant, particularly during the afternoons, and to avoid riverbeds and low-lying areas during thunderstorms.
Youabed explained that the anticipated weather conditions in Morocco are due to the emergence of local atmospheric instability, especially in the Atlas and eastern regions, which is attributed to favorable conditions for the development of convective thunderclouds caused by surface heating. The presence of colder pockets in the upper atmosphere, along with the influence of mountainous terrain, particularly the Atlas and Rif ranges, enhances the upward movement of air.
According to the same source, these unstable clouds are likely to form during the afternoon hours, producing sporadic rain showers that may occasionally be accompanied by thunderstorms, hail, and relatively strong gusts of wind, particularly over the high and medium Atlas, Rif, and eastern regions, with a possibility of limited extension into adjacent areas. The General Directorate of Meteorology also forecasts that thunderstorm activity will remain localized and variable from one area to another.
As reported by hespress.com.
