Rabat — A new weather alert forecasts heavy thunderstorms, with local hail and strong winds expected to hit several Moroccan provinces on Monday.
The General Directorate of Meteorology said heavy thunderstorms producing between 15 and 35 millimeters of rainfall will hit the provinces of Midelt, Boulemane, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Khenifra, Al Haouz, Tinghir, and Ouarzazate between 1pm and 10pm today.
The same weather will concern Ouarzazate, Taroudant, Chichaoua, El Kelaa Seraghna, Marrakech, and Rehamna.
In a range of weather forecasts, Morocco will also experience a heatwave in several provinces.
On Sunday, the meteorology directorate announced that temperatures ranging between 38 and 42 degrees Celsius will hit Chichaoua, Marrakech, Rehamna, Khemisset, Youssoufia, Beni Mellal, and Fquih Ben Salah, as well as Taroudant, Tata, Es–Semara, and Azza Zag, Oued Eddahab, among other regions.
High temperatures are not unusual in Morocco as the country is entering its summer season at the end of May, with temperatures expected to stay higher through August and drop by October.
The stark contrast in weather patterns is evident in the lack of consistent rainfall, which has plagued agriculture and dam filling rates for six years in a row.
However, recent rainfall in March brought relief, improving water reserves and ensuring potable water to sustain the country’s population for at least a year and a half.
