Morocco’s national weather service issued an updated orange alert Friday, warning of heavy rain, snowfall and strong winds affecting multiple regions of the country through Sunday.
The Directorate General of Meteorology said in its bulletin that heavy rain, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, is expected to fall at levels between 35 and 60 millimeters in several provinces and prefectures.
The warning applies from 10 a.m. Friday until noon Saturday and includes the areas of M’diq-Fnideq, Khemisset, Beni Mellal, Meknes, El Hajeb, Ifrane, Khénifra, Fez, Sefrou, Moulay Yacoub, Taounate, Taza, Chefchaouen, Fahs-Anjra, Ouezzane and Tetouan.
A second rainfall warning, ranging from 20 to 35 millimeters, was issued for additional provinces including Sidi Slimane, Sidi Kacem, Kenitra, Driouch, Rahamna, Kelaat Sraghna, Al Haouz, Settat, Berrechid, Khouribga, Tangier-Asilah, Larache, Al Hoceima, El Fkih Ben Salah, Azilal, Temara-Skhirat, Sale, Rabat, Nouaceur, Mohammedia, Mediouna, Casablanca, Ben Slimane, and others. The same timeframe applies.
Snowfall and strong winds expected
The meteorological agency also forecasted snowfall starting at elevations above 1,200 meters, with accumulation expected between 20 and 50 centimeters in the provinces of Taroudant, Al Haouz, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ifrane, Khénifra, Midelt, Boulemane, Guercif, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Sefrou and Taza.
Lower accumulations of 10 to 15 centimeters are expected in Chefchaouen, Chichaoua, Taourirt and Al Hoceima. Snow is expected from midday Friday until midday Saturday.
Strong local winds are also forecasted, with speeds between 75 and 95 km/h in many regions including Driouch, Figuig, Azilal, Ifrane, Larache, Tetouan, M’diq-Fnideq, Sidi Kacem, Tinghir, Sidi Slimane, Ben Slimane, Berrechid, Khouribga, Settat, Berkane, Jerada, Nador, Oujda Angad, Taourirt, Casablanca, Mediouna, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, Khemisset, Rabat, Sale, Temara-Skhirat, El Jadida, Safi, Sidi Bennour, Beni Mellal, El Fkih Ben Salah, Meknes, El Hajeb, Khénifra, Fez, Moulay Yacoub, Taounate, Ouezzane, Ouarzazate, Fahs-Anjra, Chefchaouen, Taza, Guercif, Al Hoceima, Boulemane, Midelt, Tangier-Asilah, Al Haouz, Taroudant, Guelmim, Sefrou, Sidi Ifni, Tiznit and Kenitra. The wind warning is effective from 5 p.m. Friday until 2 p.m. Saturday.
The bulletin also predicted cold weather, with temperatures ranging from minus 3 to minus 8 degrees Celsius in the provinces of Midelt, Boulemane, Sefrou, Guercif, Taza, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Tinghir, Al Haouz, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ifrane, Khénifra and Chichaoua on Saturday and Sunday.
Authorities urged citizens to take precautions and follow local safety instructions as the severe weather system moves across the country.
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