Morocco is bracing for yet another punishing heatwave, with sweltering conditions expected from Friday, August 8, through Tuesday, August 12. Large swaths of the country will endure extreme temperatures, fueled by the dry, hot chergui wind and, in some areas, violent thunderstorms.
The first wave will hit on Friday, with temperatures ranging from 39°C to 43°C across parts of Fquih Ben Salah, Beni Mellal, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Rehamna, Settat, Chichaoua, Marrakech, Youssoufia, Azilal, and Al Haouz. Several southern provinces—including Essaouira, Agadir, Tiznit, Laâyoune, and Guelmim—are also on alert, according to an orange-level bulletin from the General Directorate of Meteorology.
Some regions will face even harsher conditions. From Friday through Tuesday, provinces such as Tata, Taroudant, Assa-Zag, Es-Semara, Oued Ed-Dahab, Boujdour, and Aousserd will swelter in extreme heat of 44°C to 48°C. Laâyoune, Tarfaya, Tan-Tan, and Guelmim will join that top tier between Saturday and Sunday.
From Saturday to Tuesday, the heatwave will tighten its grip on parts of central and western Morocco, including Fquih Ben Salah, Marrakech, Azilal, Sidi Bennour, Safi, Chichaoua, and Agadir, where highs are expected between 42°C and 46°C. On Sunday, scorching conditions will spread to Fès, Meknès, Khémisset, Ouezzane, El Jadida, and Sidi Slimane, with some areas reaching 46°C. Cities like Salé, Taza, and Khénifra will see slightly milder, though still oppressive, temperatures of 39°C to 42°C.
The heat will linger into Monday in Laâyoune, Tarfaya, Tan-Tan, and Guelmim, with highs between 40°C and 44°C.
Meanwhile, meteorologists warn of severe thunderstorms on Friday between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. in Ifrane, Boulemane, Khénifra, and Midelt. These storms may bring hail, powerful wind gusts, and rainfall of 15 to 30 millimeters in just a few hours.
