Morocco issues orange weather alert as rain, snow and strong winds forecast

Morocco’s weather is expected to turn unsettled again, particularly in the northwest, with rain, snowfall and strong winds forecast over the coming days, according to the country’s General Directorate of Meteorology.

The weather service said conditions on Thursday remained generally stable, with partly cloudy skies in the far northwest, a chance of light rain, and localized fog along northern coasts and Atlantic plains.

Hussein Youabed, head of communication at the meteorological authority, said Morocco’s northern half will be indirectly affected on Friday and Saturday by Storm Oriane, a low-pressure system forming north of Spain over the Iberian Peninsula.

The system is expected to bring intermittent rainfall, at times moderate, along with strong winds reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour, Youabed said. High waves measuring between 3 and 5.5 meters are forecast along the northern and northwestern coasts and the Mediterranean shoreline from Friday through Saturday, depending on the area.

Rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected across northern and central regions, while snowfall is forecast in the High Atlas, Middle Atlas and Rif mountains at elevations above 1,400 meters. Strong winds are also expected locally in mountainous areas.

The meteorological authority said weather conditions are likely to stabilize from Sunday as the Azores High pressure system extends toward the country, bringing mostly clear to partly cloudy skies and a slight drop in temperatures.

In an updated weather bulletin issued Thursday afternoon, Morocco’s meteorological service raised the alert level to orange for a large number of provinces, warning of heavy rainfall, snowfall and strong winds across much of the country.

According to the alert, thunderstorms accompanied by possible hail are expected from Friday at 6 a.m. until Saturday at 6 a.m., with rainfall totals ranging from 40 to 65 millimeters in northern provinces including Tangier-Assilah, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, Larache and Taounate.

Other areas, including Rabat, Salé, Fez, Meknes, Beni Mellal and Khouribga, are forecast to receive between 30 and 40 millimeters of rain.

Snowfall of 20 to 40 centimeters is expected in mountainous provinces such as Midelt, Ifrane, Azilal, Beni Mellal and Tinghir, while accumulations of 10 to 20 centimeters are forecast in parts of the eastern Rif.

The alert also warned of strong winds ranging from 75 to 95 kilometers per hour in several northern, eastern and central provinces from Friday morning through Saturday morning.