Storm Francis in Morocco: rain, snow and polar cold until Tuesday

The calm of the New Year is over. A major disturbance is crossing the Kingdom, caused by the explosive encounter between a mass of cold air at altitude and a warm and humid ocean current. The consequences are immediate and potentially dangerous, particularly on the central Atlantic coast. The provinces of Agadir Ida-Outanane, Taroudant and Essaouira are on maximum alert (red): impressive rainfall totals, ranging between 80 and 120 mm, are expected, raising fears of sudden floods.

The wind will also blow very hard. Gusts of up to 100 km/h will sweep the Atlantic plains, the Atlas mountains, the Oriental region and the northern Sahara. This wintry picture is completed by a strong return of snow on the peaks of the High and Middle Atlas exceeding 1600 meters, accompanied by a sharp drop in mercury.

Patience will be needed before the return of fine weather. The depression system will stagnate all weekend, maintaining rainy and stormy weather over the northern half and the southeast until Monday inclusive. While Tuesday will remain unstable, a gradual improvement is expected from next Wednesday with the return of clear skies and a rise in temperatures.