Unstable weather and excessive heat hit multiple Moroccan regions this week

Morocco is witnessing remarkable weather fluctuations at the beginning of this week, from Tuesday to Thursday, as a result of a complex interaction between thermal effects at the surface level and the extension of a cold upper depression in the upper atmosphere.

This unstable weather situation will be reflected in various regions of the country with a clear variation in temperatures and the appearance of thunderstorms in some regions, said Hussein Youabed, communication officer at the National Meteorological Directorate.

Youabed explained that in the south and southeast, a seasonal thermal depression dominates, pushing hot and dry air masses, which leads to a significant rise in temperatures, especially in the regions of Tadla, Tansifit, the Phosphate Plateau and the eastern region, where temperatures are expected to exceed the threshold of 40 degrees Celsius, and may reach 43 degrees in the far southeast. This thermal rise will be more pronounced on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The same spokesman added that the northern and coastal regions, on the other hand, know the leakage of moist and relatively cold air masses coming from the Atlantic Ocean, which creates a thermal disparity between the north and south that supports the formation of strong thunderstorm clouds sometimes during the afternoon periods, especially over the Atlas, the countryside and the eastern region, with the possibility of localized hail, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday.

As for the weather on Tuesday, the communication official stated that it will be hot in a number of interior and southern regions, with strong thunderstorms recorded in the Middle Atlas, Saiss, Rif and the Fousfat and Wallmas plateaus, and added: “Relatively strong winds are also expected in the east, southeast and southern coasts.

Some areas of the west and north will see scattered rain showers and local thunderstorms, while low clouds appear during the night accompanied by light rain drops in the northwestern plains, Saiss and the western countryside. Local sandstorms will characterize the weather in the southeast and in the south of the country in general.”

As for tomorrow, Wednesday, Youabed says that “relatively hot weather is expected to continue in the southeast, south and east of the desert regions, with a relative decrease in temperatures in the north of the eastern region, Saiss and the countryside.”

The spokesman continued: “The forecast indicates the possibility of recording local thunderstorms in the Middle Atlas, North High Atlas, eastern Rif, the eastern side and the eastern Mediterranean coast, as well as the possibility of some light rain drops in the morning on the northwestern plains and areas adjacent to the Atlas and the countryside.”

On Thursday, the country is expected to witness more stable weather with relatively hot semi-summer weather in the southeast, south and east of the southern provinces, according to the same source.

Some unstable clouds may appear in the east of the countryside and the eastern region, while the mornings and nights in the northern and central coasts will be characterized by low clouds and fog or light drops. Relatively strong winds will continue in the afternoon in a number of regions, especially the Atlas, the eastern side, the southeast and the Kingdom’s coasts.

In light of this atmospheric variation, the Meteorological Directorate recommends citizens to exercise caution, especially in areas that will experience heat waves and strong thunderstorms, while following the official weather forecasts on a regular basis to ensure optimal handling of the volatile weather conditions.