Morocco issued an orange weather alert for temperatures reaching 45 C from Wednesday through Friday, while forecasting thunderstorms, hail and strong winds across mountain and eastern regions.
Temperatures between 42 C and 45 C are expected in Aousserd, Oued Ed-Dahab, Boujdour, Assa-Zag, Smara, Tata and Zagora, the General Directorate of Meteorology said Tuesday.
Highs of 38 C to 42 C are forecast across a broader area that includes Marrakech, Beni Mellal, Meknes, Fez, Kenitra, Settat, Khouribga, Salé, Taroudant, Khenifra, Khemisset, Sidi Kacem and Sidi Slimane.
The heat will remain concentrated over inland plains, the southeast and the interior of the southern provinces. Temperatures may rise further locally on Wednesday and Thursday before beginning a slight, gradual decline on Friday, DGM spokesperson Houssine Youabed said.
Afternoon thunderstorms are also expected over the High and Middle Atlas, the Rif, the Oriental region and the southeast. Some storms could produce locally heavy rain, hail and strong wind gusts, with scattered showers possible over Saiss, the Oulmès plateau and the phosphate plateau.
Coastal areas and the southern provinces may experience relatively strong winds capable of raising dust and sand.
Youabed said the unstable conditions are being driven by strong surface heating and pockets of cold air in the upper atmosphere. Mountain terrain is reinforcing the upward movement of warm air and the formation of storm clouds during the afternoon.
The intensity and location of the storms are expected to vary considerably because of their localized nature.
The DGM urged residents to remain alert, particularly during the afternoon, and to avoid riverbeds and low-lying areas during thunderstorms because of the risk of sudden runoff and flooding.
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.