Morocco is experiencing sharply contrasting weather conditions this week, with temperatures expected to reach 44 degrees Celsius in some regions while other parts of the country face heavy thunderstorms and hail.
The unusual weather pattern has raised questions among residents about the climatic contrasts affecting the country at the same time.
According to Hussein Youabed, communications officer at Moroccan Directorate General of Meteorology, the phenomenon is not considered abnormal and is linked to the transitional period between late spring and the approach of summer.
Speaking to Hespress AR, Youabed explained that Morocco is currently being influenced by two different air masses simultaneously.
Hot and dry air currents originating from the Sahara are causing significant temperature increases in inland plains, southeastern regions and the southern provinces, he said.
At the same time, cooler and more humid air moving through the upper layers of the atmosphere, particularly over mountainous areas, is creating atmospheric instability that leads to the formation of storm clouds and localized thunderstorms.
The official added that mountainous terrain further intensifies these contrasts by forcing warm and humid air upward, encouraging the development of thunderclouds, while other regions remain under the influence of hot, dry weather.
He noted that the coexistence of extreme heat in one part of the country and thunderstorms or cooler temperatures elsewhere on the same day is a known feature of transitional weather systems.
Earlier Thursday, the Moroccan Directorate General of Meteorology issued an orange-level weather alert warning of hot conditions affecting several provinces, including Smara, Assa-Zag, Boujdour, Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab, Oued Ed-Dahaband Tata from May 28 to May 29.
The agency also warned of locally strong thunderstorms accompanied by hail in the provinces of Ifrane, Midelt, Boulemane, El Hajeb and Khénifra, with rainfall expected to range between 25 and 30 millimeters.
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.