Casablanca reached a sweltering 39.5°C on June 28, 2025—its highest temperature ever recorded in the month of June. The new record surpasses the previous benchmark of 38.6°C set back in 2011. This intense heat isn’t confined to the economic capital alone; it’s spreading rapidly to other coastal cities like Larache and Essaouira, signaling a broader and highly unusual heatwave gripping much of northern Morocco.
In Larache, the typically mild maritime climate has been overwhelmed by a blast of dry, desert air. The temperatures here have surged far beyond seasonal expectations, destabilizing the region’s usual weather patterns. Further south, Essaouira—normally kept cool by the steady Atlantic trade winds—has also fallen victim to the heat. The city, known for its breezy summers, is now experiencing extreme temperatures that are well outside the norm.
Meteorologists attribute this widespread heat to a combination of rising global temperatures and specific regional conditions. Inland winds, carrying hot, arid air from the Sahara, are reaching deep into the coastal belt, driving up temperatures across the northern half of the country. As a result, long-standing climate patterns are being disrupted, and heat records are being broken in rapid succession.
Local governments are responding with heightened alerts. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors during peak heat hours, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity. Morocco’s national weather agency has warned that the heatwave may persist into early July, depending on whether there’s any shift in the Saharan air masses currently dominating the region’s climate.
