Morocco’s exceptional heat wave is expected to ease gradually over the coming days, although temperatures could rise again toward the end of the week and into early next week, the country’s weather service said Wednesday.
The General Directorate of Meteorology attributed the unusually hot conditions at the beginning of September to the influence of a Saharan thermal low extending toward central and northern Morocco, combined with a continued flow of very hot and dry continental tropical air masses from the Sahara.
The conditions have strengthened the prevalence of easterly winds, locally known as “Chergui,” across inland areas.
Monthly temperature records were recorded in several areas, particularly on Sept. 3. Temperatures reached 47.1 degrees Celsius in Sidi Slimane, 45.1 C in Kenitra and 44.3 C in Sale, according to data provided by the meteorological service.
Despite the widespread heat, localized thunderstorms developed in the Atlas Mountains, at times accompanied by hail and strong winds.
Gradual decline expected
Temperatures are expected to decline gradually over the next two days from the exceptional levels recorded late last week and at the beginning of this week, said El Hussein Youabed, a communications official with the General Directorate of Meteorology.
Temperatures are expected to return gradually toward levels closer to seasonal averages, although the decline will not necessarily mark the end of unsettled weather, Youabed said.
Some areas, particularly the Atlas Mountains, the southeastern region and parts of southern Morocco, are expected to remain vulnerable to unstable clouds and localized thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon.
Youabed cautioned that the easing temperatures do not necessarily mean the end of hot weather.
Another rise in temperatures remains possible toward the end of this week and early next week, particularly in inland areas, the southeast, Souss and desert regions, he said.
September is a transitional month between summer and the beginning of autumn, Youabed said, making fluctuations in temperatures and alternating periods of heat and more moderate weather normal for the time of year.
The transition can also bring periods of atmospheric instability, including localized thunderstorms, he said.
Heat and thunderstorms under orange alert
The meteorological service issued a new orange-level weather warning Wednesday, covering two weather phenomena expected to occur simultaneously.
The first involves continued hot weather in several southern and southeastern provinces. Temperatures were forecast to reach between 42 C and 45 C in Tata, Smara, Laayoune, Assa-Zag, Boujdour, Oued Ed-Dahab and Aousserd.
Temperatures of between 38 C and 42 C were expected in Guelmim, Taroudant, Tan-Tan and Tarfaya.
The second warning concerns thunderstorms accompanied by hail and strong wind gusts. Rainfall totals of between 25 and 35 millimeters were forecast between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m. Wednesday in Ifrane, Ouarzazate, Azilal, Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Boulemane, Midelt and Khenifra.
The weather pattern reflects the transitional nature of September, with periods of intense heat expected to alternate with localized thunderstorms and other episodes of unsettled weather in the days ahead.
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