Meteorological Directorate: hurricane Kirk will indirectly impact Morocco’s weather

As hurricane  Kirk undergoes what’s called an extratropical transition, it is expected to lose its hurricane status before reaching Europe, but concerns remain among Moroccans about potential lingering effects.

Moroccan social media users expressed some concerns over Hurricane Kirk, fearing the powerful Category 4 storm could impact the country despite its expected weakening. 

While Morocco will not experience significant direct impacts from Kirk, the storm is expected to indirectly influence weather conditions in the country, Lhoussain Youaabd, spokesman for the Directorate of Meteorology, told Hespress Eng.

Youaabd explained that the Azores High, a weather system that typically prevents low-pressure systems from reaching Morocco, is predicted to weaken.

This will allow more humid and cooler air to flow into the northwest of the country, resulting in a slight decrease in temperatures in some northern regions and the possibility of some rainfall. 

The storm may also cause slightly higher waves along the Atlantic coast, particularly during the evening and into the middle of Thursday.

The country can expect a mix of rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds over the coming days, with some regions more affected than others.

The spokesperson explained that the tropical Storm Kirk has been downgraded to a low-pressure system as it moves across the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean. 

Youaabd explained that the storm has lost its tropical cyclone characteristics due to the colder air it has encountered from the North Atlantic. As a result, it is expected to continue weakening as it approaches Western Europe.

The low-pressure system is currently heading towards France, Spain, and Portugal, where it is forecast to bring heavy rain and strong winds on Thursday and Friday.

Starting today in Morocco, parts of Tangier, the Loukkos region, Western Rif, and the western part of the country are likely to experience scattered showers, particularly in the late afternoon.

 Isolated rain is also forecast for the plains north of Safi, Saïs, the rest of the Rif, and the Mediterranean coast tonight.

On Thursday, the Rif, western, and Loukkos regions, as well as the northern plains and Saïs, will see light scattered showers. 

The northern and central coasts may also experience some drizzle, while thunderstorms with strong winds and hail are possible in the far south. Relatively strong winds and dust storms are expected in the northeastern parts of the southern provinces.

Friday will bring light scattered showers to Tangier, the Loukkos region, the western Rif, and the western Mediterranean.

Over the weekend, Morocco is expected to face another period of disturbed weather, with thick clouds leading to locally heavy showers over the northern and central plains, the Rif, the Atlas Mountains, the Mediterranean coast, and the eastern regions.