Intense Heat Expected in Multiple Provinces
The General Directorate of Meteorology has issued an orange alert for approximately twenty provinces in the interior and southern regions of the country, anticipating a significant heatwave from Wednesday through Friday. Temperatures are projected to soar between 42 to 45 degrees Celsius in cities such as Marrakech, Fès, Meknès, Errachidia, and Zagora. Additionally, thunderstorms accompanied by hail and strong gusts of wind are forecasted for the Aousserd province.
Weather Alerts and Implications
The alert bulletin from the General Directorate of Meteorology highlights two distinct weather phenomena occurring over the specified period. The first phenomenon is the heatwave, which is expected to impact numerous provinces, with maximum temperatures ranging from 42 to 45 degrees, particularly in the aforementioned cities. Other regions are anticipated to experience temperatures between 38 and 42 degrees Celsius.
The second phenomenon involves thunderstorms that may bring rainfall of 25 to 40 millimeters, alongside hail and intense wind gusts, particularly from Wednesday afternoon to Thursday morning in Aousserd. This combination of weather events is not contradictory; rather, the late summer convective episodes in the southern provinces are a direct result of surface heat accumulation, which fuels localized and severe thunderstorm cells. The associated risk here is not thermal but hydrological, as rapid runoff can occur from 25 to 40 millimeters of rain falling on dry, impermeable soils, leading to flash flooding in riverbeds.
This weather sequence occurs against a backdrop where the implications of heat extend beyond health concerns to economic factors. A report released this week by the OECD, the Global Green Growth Institute, and the World Bank ranks the country at the top among twenty-eight African nations studied for the severity of agricultural soil moisture deficits. It is noteworthy that Morocco experiences fewer days of extreme thermal stress compared to Sahelian states.
The timing of this alert poses practical challenges as it coincides with the school reopening days from September 3 to 5, affecting several provinces known to be highly susceptible to these extreme weather conditions. Standard recommendations are in place: limiting exposure during the hottest hours, maintaining regular hydration, and paying special attention to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children, and outdoor workers, particularly those involved in agriculture and construction.
As reported by lnt.ma.
