Severe Weather Conditions in Morocco
Morocco is currently experiencing a notable heat wave, coinciding with thunderstorm disturbances in various regions, creating a unique climatic scenario characterized by significantly high temperatures and atmospheric fluctuations. This has been confirmed by Hussein Youbad, the communication officer at the General Directorate of Meteorology. Youbad elucidated in a statement to the news outlet Hespress that the current weather conditions are marked by intense heat affecting numerous areas across the kingdom. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, extreme temperatures were recorded, peaking in Sidi Slimane at an astonishing 42.4 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, eight other weather stations reported temperatures exceeding 40 degrees, including Kenitra at 42 degrees, Nouacer at 41.6 degrees, and Taroudant at 41 degrees. The capital city, Rabat, reported temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius, while Casablanca experienced a milder 36.4 degrees. These readings surpass the usual seasonal averages by a margin of three to ten degrees, particularly in the interior western regions, Loukkos, Chaouia, and the central plains of the country, as well as within Souss.
The high temperatures are primarily attributed to the influence of a thermal low from the Sahara Desert, which drives hot and dry air masses from the Sahara towards the southern and central parts of the country. This phenomenon is locally known as the “Cherki” winds. Youbad further explained that these hot and dry desert winds, upon crossing the Atlas Mountains, experience additional heating due to a scientific phenomenon known as the “Föhn effect.” This effect enhances the heat wave in the western and northern interior plains, in addition to the Souss region, the southeast, the Moulouya Valley, and the far south of Morocco.
Weather Forecast and Safety Precautions
Regarding weather predictions, Youbad indicated that the hot conditions are expected to persist throughout the weekend in several regions, occasionally accompanied by relatively strong gusts of wind and localized dust storms, particularly in the southern and southeastern areas. According to meteorological data, the high temperatures are projected to continue at least until next Wednesday, especially in the interior plains, Souss, the southeast, and the southern provinces, while the possibility of thunderstorm disturbances remains present at intervals over the Atlas Mountains and their eastern slopes, as well as in the eastern region.
The General Directorate of Meteorology anticipates that maximum temperatures will range between 38 and 43 degrees in the northern and central plains, within Souss, the extreme southeast, and the eastern desert provinces. Conversely, temperatures in the eastern region and near the northern coasts are expected to range from 28 to 33 degrees, while the Mediterranean front and the Atlas Mountains will see temperatures between 22 and 28 degrees, and other regions of the kingdom will experience temperatures from 33 to 38 degrees. There are also indications of a gradual decrease in temperatures starting next Wednesday in most areas, except for the eastern region, the southeast, and the southern desert provinces, where relatively hot weather will persist.
In this context, Youbad emphasized that conditions will remain unstable in several regions of the kingdom over the weekend, particularly in the Rif, Middle Atlas, and eastern region, where sporadic thunderstorms and light rains are anticipated, with the potential for localized hail in some elevated areas. He noted that Friday will witness relatively strong thundercloud activity over the Rif, Middle Atlas, and eastern region, with light rains that may be accompanied by thunder in the High Atlas and its western areas, as well as in the western Mediterranean and Saïs plains. Regions in the southeast, southern eastern area, central Atlantic coasts, and southern provinces will experience relatively strong wind gusts that could lead to localized sand and dust lifting, while high temperatures will continue in the southeast and desert provinces, remaining relatively moderate in other areas.
On Saturday, unstable weather will persist, with new thunderstorms expected over the Rif and Middle Atlas, and light rains accompanied by thunder in the eastern region, High Atlas, and western Mediterranean areas, while relatively hot weather will continue in the southeast and extreme south. Winds are expected to remain relatively active, especially in the southern eastern area and central and southern coasts, with a slight rise in temperatures in the northwest, contrasted by a relative decrease in the eastern region and the south. By Sunday, forecasts indicate continued variable weather with passing clouds that may produce light rain and the possibility of thunder in the Atlas and Rif mountains, along with scattered showers in the Mediterranean front, while relatively strong winds are expected in the Tangier area and the central and southern coasts, potentially accompanied by dust lifting.
These weather fluctuations come at a time when specialists are urging caution, particularly for vulnerable populations, advising individuals to avoid direct exposure to sunlight during peak hours and to increase water intake amid the ongoing heat wave affecting various regions of the kingdom.
As reported by hespress.com.
