Over the past 24 hours, the Atlas Mountains, their eastern slopes, and southeastern Morocco have been hit by severe weather, including heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds.
Weather conditions triggered flash floods and caused material damage, particularly in the Zagora region, which bore the brunt of the storms.
In a statement, Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology explained that the unstable weather resulted from the interaction of two key atmospheric systems: a surface low-pressure system centered in the east of the country, which pushed moisture-laden southeasterly winds into the southeast; and a cold upper-level low situated between the Iberian Peninsula and northern Morocco, intensifying instability in the upper atmosphere.
The rugged terrain, especially in the Atlas Mountains, further exacerbated conditions by lifting large volumes of moist air upward, causing rapid cooling and cloud buildup, and led to the formation of intense cumulonimbus clouds, bringing torrential rains, hailstorms, and powerful winds.
The meteorological authority noted that the hail was caused by significant cooling in upper atmospheric layers, combined with strong updrafts and downdrafts that accelerated moisture condensation, amplifying the severity of the storms.
The directorate warned that the unsettled weather would persist through Friday, with thunderstorms expected across large parts of eastern Morocco, including the Middle Atlas, eastern Rif, northern Mediterranean coast, and the southern slopes of the High Atlas, with potential hail and localized strong winds.
Scattered nighttime showers are also forecast for parts of the south, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms, as the atmospheric disturbance continues to impact the southern provinces, the directorate posted on its Facebook page.
A gradual improvement in weather conditions is expected starting Saturday, aside from some lingering showers over the Atlas Mountains and eastern areas. Warm weather is forecast for inland plains, the eastern region, the southeast, and the interior of the southern provinces, while relatively thick low clouds are expected over northern Atlantic plains, the Rif, and western Mediterranean coasts, with a chance of scattered light rain.
Authorities have urged residents to remain cautious, avoid riverbanks and low-lying areas prone to sudden flooding, and closely monitor official weather bulletins to take necessary precautions.
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