Extreme Heat Wave Hits Morocco, Shattering Winter Temperature Records

At the beginning of the week, temperatures rose to reach 13 and 14 degrees Celsius in the southern and central regions of the kingdom, 5 to 9 degrees higher than the seasonal average, Houcine Youaabed, head of communication at the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM), told Hespress. This rise in temperatures is due to the hot and tropical air masses coming from the Great Sahara towards the southern, central and even Atlantic coastal regions, he explains.

The temperature increases are more significant in certain cities like Tan-Tan and Es-Smara (37 degrees), Safi (35.6 degrees) and Taroudant (34 degrees). In other cities like Sidi Ifni, Tiznit, Beni Mellal, Nouaceur, El Jadida, Taroudant and Kenitra, the maximum temperatures recorded in February have been largely exceeded, details Youaabed, noting a persistence of heat waves during the winter, with an average increase of 5 to 10 degrees Celsius in January. A trend observed worldwide.

The official notes that this February is hotter than last year, forecasting high temperatures in the Souss region and in the south of the kingdom this Saturday, and a slight cloud cover in the east of the region. The populations of the north, center and southeast of the kingdom should expect to see fog and quite strong gusts of wind accompanied by local dust (center, south and southeast), Youaabed announces, announcing a drop in temperatures in the east and an increase in the other regions.