Schools in Taza, Taounate and Northern Morocco close over heavy rain forecast

Several schools in northern Morocco have suspended classes on Wednesday as authorities prepare for heavy rainfall and strong winds forecast across the region.

The closures affect public and private schools in Taza and Taounate, as well as rural schools in Larache, Chefchaouen, Tetouan and Fnideq. Some provincial education directorates have ordered full-day suspensions, while others have limited closures to afternoon classes.

The decisions follow an orange-level weather warning issued by Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology, which forecasts rainfall of up to 110 millimeters in some provinces on Wednesday and Thursday, alongside possible hail and wind gusts reaching 100 km/h.

The heaviest rainfall, ranging from 80 to 110 mm, is expected in Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, Tetouan, Essaouira, Agadir Ida-Outanane, Inezgane-Ait Melloul and Chtouka-Ait Baha.

Other areas, including Taounate, Larache, Sidi Kacem, Kenitra, Taza, Ouezzane and Taroudant, are forecast to receive between 40 and 80 mm.

The Provincial Education Directorate in Taza announced a full-day suspension of classes on Wednesday across all public and private schools in the province.

It said the decision followed Tuesday’s weather warning and was taken in coordination with local authorities to protect students, teachers and administrative staff.

Taounate’s Provincial Education Directorate also suspended classes for the entire day across public and private schools, including preschool units and non-formal education centers.

In Larache, classes in rural schools were suspended from noon on Wednesday as a precaution against the expected weather conditions.

In Chefchaouen, Tetouan and Fnideq, rural schools were ordered to close for the full day, while urban schools suspended afternoon classes.

The measures were announced by the respective provincial education directorates following the meteorological warning.