Scattered showers, thunderstorms expected in northwest and Rif regions

Morocco’s meteorological authority on Wednesday confirmed its previous forecast, predicting “scattered showers or occasional thunderstorms” over the country’s northwest and western Rif regions, with partly cloudy skies and light rainfall possible across northern Atlantic plains, the Atlas Mountains, and the eastern regions.

Hussein Youabed, a communications official at the Directorate General of Meteorology, explained that the unstable weather is due to an Atlantic low-pressure system near Western Europe, which has pushed moist air masses toward northern Morocco via the Mediterranean and Atlantic. This influx of moisture is expected to produce scattered rainfall over the Rif and northern regions.

“Low clouds and localized fog will form overnight over the central and southern plains,” Youabed added, warning of moderate to strong winds across the eastern highlands, the High and Middle Atlas, northern Atlantic plains, and the Rif.

The authority expects these intermittent unstable conditions to persist through Thursday evening, gradually improving Friday and Saturday. Youabed said the sudden instability, combined with cold upper-level air, is enhancing convection and the development of cumulonimbus clouds, particularly over mountainous areas. He noted that the terrain contributes to local rainfall and occasional thunderstorms.

Cumulative rainfall during this short period is expected to remain below November’s seasonal averages. Thursday’s forecast calls for light, scattered rain, especially over northwest Morocco and the western Rif, with low clouds and fog in the morning and evening over Atlantic plains. Moderate to strong winds are expected in the Middle Atlas and Rif regions.

Friday will generally see stable weather, with low clouds and localized fog during mornings and evenings, and a slight rise in daytime temperatures nationwide. By Saturday through Sunday, skies are expected to be mostly clear to partly cloudy, particularly over northwest Morocco, with stable weather elsewhere. Temperatures will rise slightly on Saturday before gradually declining.

Expected Thursday lows range from 3–8°C in the Atlas Mountains, 9–13°C in the eastern highlands and Rif, 14–18°C in other regions, and 19–23°C in southern provinces. Daytime temperatures over the Atlas are expected to rise slightly.

Rainfall measurements in the past 24 hours included 3 millimeters in Tangier and 1 millimeter in Tangier Port, according to the meteorological authority.