Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) said the intense heat expected across much of the country in the coming days is being driven by the Saharan low-pressure system, combined with the annual As-Samayem period, which is known for producing prolonged heat waves.
The DGM has continued issuing heat warnings, with its latest orange-level weather alert warning that temperatures could reach as high as 47 degrees Celsius in some areas. The agency also forecast locally strong thunderstorms in several provinces from Thursday through Saturday.
Khalid Al-Ghaz, head of the DGM’s General Forecasting Department, said the Saharan low-pressure system remains the primary driver of the current heat wave.
“The activity of the Saharan low-pressure system remains the main factor behind this heat wave,” Al-Ghaz told Hespress Arabic.
He explained that the period between May and September is typically characterized by the activity of the Saharan thermal low, a seasonal low-pressure system that plays a key role in shaping summer weather across North Africa.
According to Al-Ghaz, the system pushes very hot tropical air masses northward. As these air masses cross the Atlas Mountains and descend on the northern side, they warm further through the Foehn effect, a meteorological phenomenon in which descending air becomes hotter and drier.
“This process contributes to higher temperatures, particularly across the plains and plateaus north of the Atlas Mountains,” he said.
Al-Ghaz noted that the Saharan low-pressure system is not stationary, with its strength and position shifting throughout the summer under the influence of other weather systems.
“These changes largely explain the alternation between hot spells, extreme heat waves, and periods when temperatures remain close to seasonal averages or even below them,” he said.
He added that Moroccans have long been familiar with this weather pattern, noting that previous generations traditionally referred to periods of extreme summer heat as As-Samayem.
In its updated weather bulletin, the DGM forecast temperatures between 44 C and 47 C in the provinces of Taroudant, Zagora, Tata, Assa-Zag, Smara, Boujdour, and Oued Ed-Dahab from Aug. 6 to 8.
Temperatures between 42 C and 44 C are expected in Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Settat, and Kelaat Sraghna on Friday, while Essaouira is forecast to experience highs between 39 C and 42 C.
The agency also warned of thunderstorms that could be accompanied by hail and strong wind gusts, with rainfall totals ranging from 20 to 35 millimeters in Aousserd, Jerada, Boulemane, Midelt, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Ifrane, Al Haouz, Meknes, Oued Ed-Dahab, Tinghir, and Ouarzazate.
The storms are expected between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Thursday.
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