The General Directorate of Meteorology anticipates that unstable weather conditions will continue in Morocco over the coming days, with the possibility of localized strong thunderstorms. These storms may be accompanied by hail and gusty winds, particularly affecting several inland areas and elevations. The Directorate has indicated that during periods of thunderstorms, significant rainfall could occur in a short amount of time, along with the risk of hail and strong wind gusts, raising concerns about potential flash floods, particularly in low-lying areas and near riverbeds. Therefore, caution is advised.
According to data received by Hespress, unstable weather is expected to persist today, Thursday, featuring strong localized thunderstorms and a potential for hail, especially over the northern and central inland plains, the Atlas Mountains, the Rif region, the eastern part of the country, the southeast, and the Atlantic coasts stretching from El Jadida to Essaouira. Additionally, the Saïss region and the southern desert provinces are expected to experience thick clouds with accompanying rain showers and possible thunderstorms, along with moderate wind gusts in the southern coasts and the High Atlas.
Continued Unstable Weather Patterns
Looking ahead to tomorrow, Friday, the General Directorate of Meteorology forecasts that the same unstable conditions will continue, with thunderstorms and localized hail expected over the Atlas Mountains, Rif, southeast, and eastern high plateaus, as well as over the plains between El Jadida and Essaouira and the southern desert provinces. Thunderstorms are also likely in the Mediterranean interface, the northern plains, Saïss, and the northern desert provinces, countered by rising temperatures in the northern and central inland areas, Saïss, and the eastern region, while temperatures are expected to drop in other regions.
On Saturday, the same source indicates that localized thunderstorms will continue, particularly in the Atlas Mountains, southeast, and the Tadla and Rahamna plains, with rainfall and thunderstorms expected along the Mediterranean coast, eastern region, and the Atlantic coasts south of Casablanca, and locally in some areas of the desert provinces. From Sunday to mid-next week, dense clouds are anticipated over the northern and central regions, with moderate to strong winds locally, especially in the Tangier area and the desert provinces, the central coasts, eastern region, and southeast, while temperatures are expected to either rise or remain stable across most parts of the kingdom.
Flash Flooding in Tata
In response to inquiries regarding the flash floods that affected certain communities in the Tata province yesterday, Hussein Yoabed, communication officer at the General Directorate of Meteorology, confirmed that this was linked to unstable weather characterized by the formation of convective thunderstorm clouds capable of producing intense rainfall in a short period and over a limited geographical area. Yoabed noted that the Takemout area in Tata recorded 14 mm of rainfall between 6 AM on October 7 and 6 AM on October 8. Other areas reported significant amounts of rainfall, including 46 mm in Ain Louh, Ifrane province, 19 mm in Bouiblane, 16 mm in Midelt, and 15 mm each in Ain Deffali and Beni Matar.
He further explained that thunderstorms tend to be localized and vary significantly from one area to another, stating that heavy rainfall over a short time can lead to rapid water flow, especially in regions with valleys and gullies and low-lying areas. This situation results from the interaction of warm and relatively humid air masses near the earth's surface with cooler air aloft, against the backdrop of a weather disturbance originating from Western Europe and the western Mediterranean. Such thermal differences increase atmospheric instability, contributing to the formation of thunderstorms that may be accompanied by strong local rains, hail, and strong wind gusts.
The Directorate also issued an updated orange-level warning indicating that thunderstorms with rainfall between 20 to 30 mm, along with hail and wind gusts, are expected in the provinces of Jerada, Taourirt, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Tinghir, Zagora, Chichaoua, Azilal, Errachidia, Midelt, Boulemane, Tata, Al Haouz, Driouch, Nador, Jerf, Taza, Figuig, Khouribga, and Marrakech today, Thursday, from 2 PM until 11 PM.
As reported by hespress.com.
