Rabat — Morocco’s weather directorate has issued a new weather alert forecasting snowfall above 1,500 meters, strong winds, cold weather, and heavy rainfall with thunderstorms to continue until Wednesday in several provinces across Morocco.
The red weather alert said heavy rain of 100 and 150 millimeters are expected on Wednesday from 12 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Chefchaouen, M’Diq, Fnideq, Tetouan, Tangier, Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, and Fahs Anjra.
An orange level alert forecasts rainfall between 40 and 80 millimeters to affect the provinces of M’Diq, Fnideq, Tetouan, Tangier, Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, Fahs-Anjra, Chefchaouen, Taounate, and Al Hoceima to continue from this morning at 10:30 a.m. to Tuesday at 12 p.m.
During the same period, rainfall of 25 to 40 millimeters will affect Sidi Kacem, Kenitra, Ifrane, Taza, Moulay Yaacoub, Sefrou, Fez, Khenifra, El Hajeb, Mkenes, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Sale, Rabat, Khemisset, and Sidi Slimane.
Rainfall between 40 and 60 millimeters is expected in Al Hoceima, Toaunate, Taza, and Kenitrafrom Wednesday midnight to 11 p.m.
Strong winds between 75 and 85 kilometers per hour began this morning at 10:30 a.m and are expected to last until 11 p.m. in Taza, Jerada, Figuig, Guercif, Boulemane, Midelt, Taourirt, and Nador.
The same weather is expected in Boulemane, Sefrou, Taroudant, Ifrane, Tinghir, Figuig, Tata, Ouarzazate, and Midelt from Tuesday midnight to 8 p.m.
Strong winds of 75 to 100 kilometers per hour are expected from Tuesday at 8 p.m. to Wednesday at 11 p.m. in Mediq, Fnideq, Al Hoceima, Tetouan, Tangier-Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, Fahs-Anjra, Chefchaouen, Taza, and Taounate.
The same weather will hit Guercif, Moulay Yaacoub, Sefrou, Fez, Boulemane, Midelt, Ifrane, El Hajeb, Meknes, Khemisset, Taourirt, Oujda-Angad, Nador, Jerada, Figuig, Driouch, Berkane, Sidi Slimane, Kenitra, and Sidi Kacem.
Snowfall between 40 and 60 centimeters in regions above 1,500 meters is expected starting today through Wednesday in Sefrou, Boulemane, Taza, Guercif, Ifrane, Midelt, Beni Mellal, Khenifra, and Tinghir. Snowfall between 10 and 40 centimeters is also expected in Al Haouz, Azilal, Ouarzazate, Chefchaouen, and Al Hoceima.
Cold temperatures ranging from -6 to 0 degrees Celsius are expected on Tuesday in Al Haouz, Azilal, Tinghir, Midelt, and Ouarzazate.
While the heavy rainfall that has been ongoing since mid-November of last year ended years of drought in the country, it poses several challenges to the country’s infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas.
Several rivers reached, or nearly reached, their full capacity and have caused flooding or risks of flooding in Sidi Kacem and in Ksar El Kebir.
Efforts by authorities and civil society continue in at-risk regions, with evacuation ongoing to avoid any potential repercussions or danger to citizens’ safety.
Education directorates across the country, particularly in the northern region, also announced suspension of classes to safeguard students and administrative staff safety.
