Morocco’s weather authority has issued an orange-level alert warning of severe weather disruptions across large parts of the country, with heavy snowfall, intense rainfall and a sharp cold wave expected from Friday evening.
In an updated bulletin issued on Friday afternoon, Direction générale de la météorologie said significant snowfall would affect mountainous regions from 6pm on Friday through to 6am on Monday, with accumulations varying by altitude.
The heaviest snowfall, ranging from 35 to 80 centimetres, is forecast above 1,400 metres in the High Atlas provinces of Al Haouz, Azilal and Chichaoua. Snowfall of 15 to 35 centimetres is expected above 1,300 metres in Midelt, Beni Mellal, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Ifrane, Khénifra, Sefrou, Boulemane, Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Guercif, Taza and Taroudant.
Lighter snow of 10 to 15 centimetres is forecast above 1,200 metres in Driouch, Figuig, Errachidia, Taourirt and El Hajeb, as well as areas above 1,500 metres in Tiznit and Chtouka Aït Baha.
The alert also warns of heavy rain and thunderstorms, with rainfall totals of 20 to 40 millimetres expected between Friday evening and Saturday evening. Affected areas include Rabat, Salé, Casablanca, Kenitra, Mohammedia, Temara, Meknes, Beni Mellal, Khouribga, Larache, Tangier-Asilah, Ouezzane, Al Hoceima and several inland provinces.
A severe cold wave is forecast to follow from Sunday through Tuesday, with minimum temperatures ranging between minus 9 and minus 3 degrees Celsius in mountainous and interior regions, including Tinghir, Midelt, Boulemane, Azilal, Ifrane and Khénifra.
Authorities urged caution, warning of difficult travel conditions, snow-blocked roads and heightened risks in exposed rural and mountain areas over the coming days.
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