Rabat – Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology (DMN) forecasts severe weather, with heavy snow, rainfall, hail, and strong winds across several provinces.
Snow forecast
Snow ranging from 35 to 60 centimeters is forecast to fall above 1,500 meters, and will hit Ifrane, Azilal, Beni Mellal, and Midelt from Saturday at 12 p.m. to Monday at 1 p.m.
An orange level alert said snow between 25 and 35 centimeters will affect the provinces of Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Guercif, Sefrou, Taza, Boulemane and Khenfira.
The same weather will also hit Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, Tinghir, Chichaoua, and Taroudant.
Rain forecast
Meanwhile, the weekend will see heavy rain and thunderstorms with hail from 12 a.m. on Saturday to 6 a.m. on Monday with totals ranging from 80 to 130 millimeters.
This weather will concern the Tangier Asilah region, as well as Chefchaouen, Tetouan, Larache, Fahs Anjra, and Al Hoceima.
From Saturday 12 a.m. to Sunday 11 p.m., rain between 40 to 70 millimeters will concern the provinces of M’diq-Fnideq, Ouezzane, Kenitra, Taounate, Sidi Kacem, Taza, Ifrane, Beni Mellal, Azilal and Khenifra.
A cumulative total of 25 to 35 millimeters of rainfall is also expected in Essaouira, Safi, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Taroudant, and Khemisset on Saturday from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Strong wind forecast
Strong winds blowing at 70 to 95 kilometers per hour will hit the provinces of Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, Fahs Anjra, Tanger-Assilah, Larache, Tetouan, M’diq-Fnideq, Guercif, Sefrou, and Boulemane from Saturday at 12 a.m. to Sunday at 11 p.m.
The same weather will affect El Hajeb, Taza, Meknes, Kenitra, Khemisset, Rabat, SkhiratTemara, Sale, Benslimane, Mediouna, Sidi Bennour, El Jadida, Berrechid, Settat, Mohammedia, Nouaceur, Casablanca, Youssoufia, Marrakech, Essaouira, Chichaoua, Rehamna, Safi, and Ouarzazate.
Similar windy weather will also be felt in Taourirt, Figuig, Jerada, Zagora, Tinghir, Midelt, Errachidia, and Tata from Saturday at 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
While Moroccans welcome the rain as the country is going through dry seasons, many express concerns about infrastructure as floods struck several provinces in recent days.
A heartbreaking case has recently made headlines, concerning the death of a 9-year-old girl in Berkane, in eastern Morocco, who was swept away in the floods that hit the region. The incident sparked anger and frustration among many Moroccans.
The girl fell into a sewing pit after floods caused by heavy rainfall swept her away. Many raised concerns about the absence of safety measures amid construction work in the region. Citizens are also calling for lawyers to adopt the case and take the people involved to court to be charged and held responsible.
