Severe Weather Warnings in Morocco
The Moroccan Directorate General of Meteorology has issued a warning regarding the continuation of relatively hot to hot weather conditions across various regions of Morocco in the coming days. This is particularly evident in the interior plains, southeastern areas, and within the southern provinces, where temperatures are expected to reach an alarming high of between 40°C and 46°C in certain locations. The rise in temperatures is projected to persist locally through Wednesday and Thursday.
According to the information provided by Hussein Youabed, a communications officer for the meteorological department, many regions, especially the Atlas Mountains, Rif, eastern areas, and southeastern zones, will experience instability in the weather accompanied by thunderstorms during the afternoon periods.
In an updated alert message rated as an orange vigilance level, the meteorological department forecasts that starting from Wednesday through Friday, temperatures will range from 42°C to 45°C in areas such as Oued Eddahab, Boujdour, Assa-Zag, Smara, Tata, and Zagora. Meanwhile, other provinces such as Rahamena, Marrakech, Sidi Bennour, Youssoufia, Beni Mellal, Taroudant, Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Khouribga, Settat, Qalaat Seraghna, Khemisset, and Fez are expected to see temperatures varying between 38°C and 42°C.
Thunderstorms and Weather Instability Expected
Youabed has indicated that there is a possibility of experiencing locally strong thunderstorms, which could be accompanied by hail and relatively strong gusts of wind. Additionally, scattered showers are anticipated over the Saïss, Oulmes plateaus, and phosphate plateaus; coastal areas and the southern provinces are likely to face gusts of wind that may be moderately strong, potentially leading to dust and sand disturbances.
As per the meteorological department's communication officer, the temperatures are expected to gradually decrease starting Friday, contributing to a reduction in the intensity of heat in some areas, though relatively hot to hot weather will persist in the southeastern regions and the southern provinces.
Moreover, the afternoons in mountainous and eastern regions are likely to continue experiencing thunderstorms and showers. Given the localized nature of these thunderstorms, the directorate has advised citizens to remain vigilant, particularly during the afternoons, and to avoid riverbeds and low-lying areas during stormy weather.
Youabed explained that the anticipated weather conditions in Morocco are attributed to localized atmospheric instability, especially in the Atlas and eastern regions. This phenomenon is due to favorable conditions for the development of convective thunderstorm clouds, stemming from surface heating and the presence of cooler pockets in the upper atmosphere. The mountainous terrain, particularly the Atlas and Rif ranges, further enhances the upward motion of air.
According to the same source, these unstable clouds are likely to form during the afternoons, with the possibility of localized thunderstorms that may sometimes be strong, accompanied by hail and relatively strong gusts of wind, particularly over the major and middle Atlas, the Rif, and the eastern regions, with limited extension to nearby areas.
The meteorological department also anticipates that thunderstorm activity will remain localized and variable from one region to another.
As reported by hespress.com.
