Severe Hailstorm Strikes Fez, Morocco Following Heat Wave

In his explanations to MAP, climatologist Mohamed Hanchane indicated that this phenomenon occurs after the heat wave recorded by Morocco and which overheated the surface of the soil. This justifies the cold flow recorded since last Friday coming from the north.

It is driven by a depression over Western Europe and enters Morocco from the west (isotherm −40 degrees and 35 degrees and isoheights between 944 and 952 damgp), thus making the air unstable with violent ascent phenomena at the level of the hot and humid air. For the expert, large hailstones were formed due to the air that quickly condensed and resulted in strong coalescence of water droplets.

Continuing his explanations, he indicates that this situation occurs "when a thermal contrast is established between a hot surface and cold air at altitude". He also adds that it can be predictable "a few days to a few hours before its occurrence, but it is difficult to estimate its intensity and geographic extent".

According to the climatologist, this rare phenomenon often occurs during this same period of the year in continental geographical regions, close to mountainous areas.