Morocco braces for gradual heatwave amid moderate weather and dwindling water reserves

Morocco’s national weather service has forecast a stable stretch of summer weather from Monday through Thursday, followed by a gradual rise in temperatures heading into the weekend.

Speaking to Hespress AR, Khalid El Ghaaz, head of general forecasts at the General Directorate of Meteorology, confirmed earlier projections, noting that temperatures are expected to begin rising Friday, July 25, and continue increasing throughout the weekend.

He emphasized that, despite the approaching “Smaïm” season, known for extreme heat, current temperatures remain within seasonal norms familiar to Moroccans.

From Tuesday to Thursday, moderate heat and unstable atmospheric conditions are expected in the Atlas Mountains, where cumulonimbus clouds could bring thunderstorms and hail. Fog and low clouds are likely to form near the Atlantic coast in the early morning hours, potentially bringing light drizzle, especially in areas between Tiznit and Boujdour.

Reservoirs at 36.5% Capacity Amid Persistent Water Stress

While moderate weather may offer temporary relief, the broader concern remains Morocco’s water reserves. As of Monday, July 21, official data from the Ministry of Equipment and Water shows the nation’s dam reservoirs hold 6.12 billion cubic meters of water, just 36.53% of total capacity, which stands at 16.76 billion cubic meters.

That figure represents a significant drop from earlier this summer, driven largely by heatwaves and two recent episodes of the “chergui”, a hot, dry wind that accelerates evaporation. Still, the current reservoir levels are an improvement over the same date last year, when the fill rate stood at just 29.21%.

Experts warn, however, that continued evaporation and silt accumulation could worsen water stress, particularly in basins located in southern and central regions such as Oum Er-Rbia, Souss-Massa, and Draa-Oued Noun. Many of these basins are currently operating at less than one-third of their storage capacity.

Despite the challenges, the Bouregreg basin continues to benefit from Morocco’s water transfer infrastructure project, which became operational late last summer. Thanks to that system, the basin’s reservoirs have maintained a fill rate of nearly 64%, among the highest nationwide.

Reservoirs in northern Morocco, particularly within the Loukkos basin, also remain relatively full, while water levels in the Moulouya, Tensift, and Ziz-Kher-Guir basins are holding steady.

The ongoing combination of rising temperatures and low water levels underscores the delicate balance Moroccan authorities must maintain between managing summer heat and ensuring long-term water security.