Rabat – In an unprecedented occurrence, Morocco experienced a record-breaking temperature of 50.4°C on Friday, August 11.
This marks the first time in the country’s history that a temperature above 50°C has been reliably observed, the Spectator Index reported.
The ongoing heatwave, the third of this summer, was forecasted to be intense, with temperatures expected to soar to 49°C from Friday to Sunday.
The Moroccan General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) had foreseen this scorching heatwave, with the highest temperature originally anticipated to hit 49°C on Saturday.
This extreme heat particularly affected the cities of Laayoune, Smara, and Agadir.
Temperatures ranging between 46°C and 49°C were expected to affect various provinces on Friday and Saturday, particularly in the Souss-Massa region. The DGM had issued a red alert bulletin, signifying high vigilance levels.
The heatwave is expected to persist until Sunday, with temperatures varying between 44°C and 47°C.
This alarming record-breaking temperature highlights the effects of climate change in Morocco, which is exacerbating extreme weather conditions around the world.
Read also: July 2023 Breaks All Records as Hottest Month in Earth’s History
The increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves are a direct consequence of rising global temperatures.
As the planet warms, regions previously accustomed to moderate climates are now facing unprecedented heatwaves and soaring temperatures.
Social media platforms have been flooded with numerous unsettling videos showing menacing sandstorms that have engulfed the cities of Agadir and Marrakech in the past couple of days.
These gripping visual accounts show the immediate and tangible impacts of the extreme weather conditions that have gripped the country.
