Morocco Braces Weekend Heatwave Temperatures Reaching 47°C

Rabat — Morocco is set to experience another spell of intense heat this weekend, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 47°C in parts of the country, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM).

From Friday through Sunday, hot to locally very hot conditions are forecast across the Oriental region, the Moulouya Valley, Saïss, the plains west of the Atlas Mountains, Souss, Chiadma, the southeast, and inland areas of the southern provinces. Daytime highs in these regions are expected to range between 39°C and 47°C.

Elsewhere, temperatures are forecast to reach between 33°C and 38°C, while cooler conditions, with highs of 25°C to 32°C, are expected in the Atlas Mountains and along the coast.

Despite the heat, the weather service also forecasts localized thunderstorms over the High and Middle Atlas during the afternoons. On Sunday, unstable weather is expected to extend to the Rif Mountains and northern parts of the Oriental region, bringing the possibility of scattered thunderstorms.

Low clouds and patches of fog are expected to develop overnight and during the early morning along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, particularly in central and southern coastal areas. Light drizzle may also occur in some locations on Saturday.

Meteorologists say temperatures will remain largely stable throughout the weekend, although a slight increase is expected on Sunday in the western parts of the southern provinces. Nighttime temperatures will remain high across eastern and southern Morocco, while cooler nights are expected in mountainous areas.

Moderate to occasionally strong winds are also forecast for the Oriental region, the Atlas Mountains, central plains and coastlines, and the southern provinces. These conditions could trigger localized dust storms, particularly in eastern and southern regions.

The hot weather is expected to persist into next week, with above-average temperatures forecast to continue across much of Morocco’s inland, eastern, and southern regions. 

Temperatures may rise slightly at the start of the week before gradually easing toward the end of the period, while afternoon storm activity over the Atlas and Rif mountains and episodes of dust-laden winds are expected to continue.