Morocco is experiencing a heatwave accompanied by thunderstorms and unstable weather conditions across several regions, with temperatures rising well above seasonal averages due to hot and dry air masses pushing north from the Sahara, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology.
Houssine Youabed, communications official at the national weather agency, said temperatures on Thursday peaked at 42.4 degrees Celsius in Sidi Slimane, while several other cities exceeded 40 degrees, including Kenitra at 42 degrees, Nouaceur at 41.6 and Taroudant at 41 degrees. Rabat recorded 40 degrees, while Casablanca reached 36.4 degrees.
The agency said temperatures currently exceed seasonal norms by between three and 10 degrees, particularly in inland areas of Gharb, Loukkos, Chaouia, central plains and the Souss region.
Youabed attributed the conditions to the activity of the Saharan thermal depression, which is pushing hot and dry air masses toward southern and central Morocco in a phenomenon locally known as “Chergui” winds. He added that the passage of these winds over the Atlas Mountains further increases temperatures through the “Foehn effect,” intensifying heat across western and northern inland plains, Souss, the southeast, Moulouya valley and the far south.
The hot weather is expected to continue through at least Wednesday in inland plains, Souss, the southeast and southern provinces, with temperatures forecast between 38 and 43 degrees in northern and central plains, inland Souss, the far southeast and eastern Saharan provinces.
The meteorological agency also forecast continued atmospheric instability through the weekend, particularly over the Rif, Middle Atlas and eastern regions, with thunderstorms, scattered rainfall and possible hail in some mountainous areas.
Strong winds are also expected in the southeast, southern Oriental region, central Atlantic coasts and southern provinces, potentially causing local dust and sandstorms.
