Morocco’s national weather service has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms, hail and strong winds in several provinces, while temperatures are expected to decline across much of the country from Tuesday through Thursday before rising again toward the weekend.
The General Directorate of Meteorology said thunderstorms could bring between 25 and 35 millimeters of rain on Monday in parts of the country, with the alert in effect from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The affected provinces include Midelt, Khenifra, Ifrane, Fquih Ben Salah, Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Figuig, Settat, Azilal, Khouribga, Beni Mellal, Tinghir, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Marrakech, Rehamna, Al Haouz, Chichaoua and Boulemane.
The weather service also forecast temperatures of 38°C to 42°C on Monday in several provinces, including Marrakech, Sidi Slimane, Kenitra, Khouribga, Settat, Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Taounate, Sidi Kacem, Khenifra, Larache, Ouezzane, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Rehamna, Khmisset, Meknes, Fez and Moulay Yacoub.
Similar temperatures are expected Monday and Tuesday in parts of the Souss region and southern provinces, including Chtouka-Ait Baha, Guelmim, Laayoune, Taroudant, Tan-Tan, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni and Tarfaya.
Temperatures could reach 42°C to 46°C from Monday through Wednesday in Tata, Smara, Assa-Zag, Boujdour, Oued Ed-Dahab and Aousserd.
Temporary drop in temperatures
Houcine Youabed, head of communications at the General Directorate of Meteorology, said Morocco would remain under the influence of unstable weather conditions, particularly over the Atlas Mountains, the southern part of the eastern region, the Rif and the southeast.
These areas could see localized thunderstorms, sometimes accompanied by hail and strong wind gusts, as well as locally blowing dust in southern and eastern parts of the country, Youabed told Hespress.
Temperatures are expected to decline generally from Tuesday through Thursday before rising significantly from Friday, followed by a slight decrease toward the end of the forecast period, he said.
On Tuesday, relatively hot to hot weather is expected to continue across inland plains, the Souss region, the southeast and inland southern provinces.
Low clouds accompanied by fog banks or localized drizzle are also expected during the morning and night along the Mediterranean coast and Atlantic coastline.
Thunderstorms are forecast over the Atlas Mountains and the far south, with showers and thunderstorms possible along the eastern slopes of the Atlas, the southern eastern region and the Rif.
Relatively strong winds are also expected locally over the southeast, Atlas Mountains, southern eastern region and southern provinces, with blowing dust possible.
Temperatures are expected to fall in inland plains, inland Souss and southern coastal areas, while changes elsewhere are expected to be limited, Youabed said.
On Wednesday, relatively hot conditions are expected to persist, particularly in the Souss region, southeast and inland southern provinces.
Localized thunderstorms could affect the southern eastern region, the High and Middle Atlas and the southeast, with relatively strong to strong wind gusts possible during storms.
Strong winds are also expected along central coastal areas and in the southern provinces, with locally blowing dust.
Rainfall recorded across several regions
The latest forecast follows significant rainfall recorded during the 24 hours ending at 6 a.m. Monday.
Oukaimeden recorded 42 mm of rain, followed by Aghbalou with 35 mm and El Kelaa des Sraghna with 29 mm.
Other recorded totals included 16 mm in El Brouj, 13 mm in Boulemane, 10 mm in Imilchil, 7 mm in Midelt, 4 mm in Toubkal, 3 mm each in Ouarzazate and Ain Leuh, and 2 mm each in Taliouine, Marrakech and Azilal.
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