As an intense heatwave grips several European countries, attention is turning to whether Morocco could experience the effects of the same hot air masses, particularly as temperatures are already rising across parts of the Kingdom.
According to data published by Spain’s health institute, the Carlos III Health Institute, at least 212 deaths recorded between Sunday and Wednesday have been linked to the ongoing heatwave in Spain. Meanwhile, France’s national meteorological service reported Thursday morning that overnight temperatures between Wednesday and Thursday exceeded a record set just two days earlier for the hottest night ever recorded in the country.
Speaking to Hespress AR, Houssine Youabed, head of communication at Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology, said weather conditions in Morocco will remain influenced in the coming days by the Saharan thermal low-pressure system, which continues to drive hot, dry air masses toward the southern regions, the east and the southeast of the country.
Youabed explained that this weather pattern will maintain relatively hot to very hot conditions across large parts of Morocco, particularly in inland and southern areas. However, the Atlantic Ocean will continue to play a moderating role along the coast, where temperatures are expected to remain significantly milder than in regions farther from maritime influence.
Maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 40°C and 46°C in the southeastern provinces and southern regions, with some desert areas potentially exceeding those levels locally. Temperatures between 34°C and 41°C are expected in the Oriental region, the Moulouya Valley, Saiss, Tadla Plains, Rehamna and central inland plains. Along the Atlantic coast, temperatures will generally remain more moderate, ranging from 23°C to 32°C.
The developments come as several European countries, particularly across southern and western Europe, experience exceptional heat linked to the northward expansion of the African subtropical high-pressure system over the Mediterranean. This phenomenon pushes extremely hot air masses from North Africa into Europe, contributing to record-breaking temperatures across the continent.
Climate specialists note that Morocco is often located at the heart of the atmospheric system that generates these hot air masses. As a result, the country can be affected directly or indirectly by European heatwaves, although the intensity varies depending on the position of Atlantic low-pressure systems and the cooling influence of the ocean on Morocco’s coastline.
Youabed added that temperatures could rise further at the beginning of next week as the Saharan low-pressure system strengthens and extends deeper into Moroccan territory, reinforcing hot weather conditions across several regions, particularly inland and southern areas.
At the same time, some atmospheric instability is expected to persist through the weekend. Thunderclouds could develop over the Middle Atlas, High Atlas, the Oriental region and the southeast, bringing scattered showers and occasional strong wind gusts.
According to climate experts, these weather patterns reflect the growing frequency and intensity of heatwaves across the Mediterranean basin in recent years. The trend is widely associated with the effects of global climate change, which is increasing the likelihood of record-breaking temperatures in both Europe and North Africa, including Morocco.
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