Morocco heatwave to persist as temperatures reach 46°C

Morocco’s heatwave is expected to persist through the coming week, with temperatures reaching as high as 46°C in inland and southern areas before rising again across much of the country from Thursday, the national weather service said.

Houcine Youabed, communications official at the General Directorate of Meteorology, told Hespress that hot air masses would continue to dominate conditions in the southeast, eastern Morocco and the interior of the southern provinces.

The heat will also affect the Gharb, Saiss, Tadla and Souss plains and areas west of the Atlas Mountains.

Maximum temperatures on Monday were forecast at between 39°C and 46°C in the southeast, southern and eastern Saharan provinces, inland Souss and Chiadma, Tadla, Gharb and southern parts of the Oriental region.

Highs of 25°C to 31°C were expected in the Atlas and Rif mountains and along the coasts, with temperatures of 32°C to 38°C elsewhere.

Hot conditions will continue inland on Tuesday, although temperatures are expected to ease slightly over the Atlas mountains, northern and central plains and Souss. Other regions could become marginally hotter.

Thunderstorms may develop over the High and Middle Atlas and northern parts of eastern Morocco during the afternoon.

Low clouds, mist and fog are expected overnight and in the morning along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, occasionally reducing visibility.

Moderate to strong winds could affect the Atlas region, Tangier, central coasts, the southeast and southern provinces, with locally raised dust in desert areas.

Temperatures are forecast to climb gradually again from Thursday through Saturday across most regions.

The weather service urged residents to drink water regularly, avoid direct sunlight during peak hours and pay particular attention to children, older people and those with chronic illnesses.