A powerful winter weather system is expected to sweep across much of the Kingdom this weekend, bringing a mix of heavy rain, snow, strong winds, and freezing temperatures. The national meteorological agency has issued a series of alerts for widespread disruption between Friday and Sunday.
Starting Friday morning, the northern and central regions will face intense thunderstorms, with some areas experiencing hail and sudden gusts of wind. Up to 25 mm of rain could fall in parts of Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Safi, Sidi Bennour, Salé, Rabat, El Jadida, and Essaouira. These early storms have already been placed under an orange alert, signaling potentially hazardous conditions.
As the weekend progresses, the weather is set to become more severe. From Friday night through to Sunday morning, persistent rainfall will soak a wide area stretching from the Atlantic coast to the High Atlas mountains. In cities like Safi, Essaouira, El Jadida, Casablanca, Berrechid, Mediouna, Nouaceur, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Inezgane-Ait Melloul, Chtouka-Ait Baha, and Taroudant, rainfall totals could reach 55 to 75 mm.
Other areas will also be hit hard, with expected rainfall between 35 and 55 mm in provinces such as El Kelaa des Sraghna, Rehamna, Marrakech, Settat, Chichaoua, Youssoufia, Tiznit, Khénifra, Fquih Ben Salah, Béni Mellal, Azilal, Al Haouz, Mohammadia, Khouribga, and Benslimane.
Meanwhile, snow is forecast to return to the mountains, starting at elevations above 1,500 meters. On Saturday and Sunday, up to 40 cm of snow may fall in Azilal, Midelt, Ouarzazate, Ifrane, Al Haouz, and Tinghir. Lighter snowfall—ranging from 10 to 15 cm—is also likely in Boulemane, Khénifra, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, and Béni Mellal.
Strong winds will add to the disruption, with gusts reaching 75 to 85 km/h expected late Friday into early Saturday in Safi, Chichaoua, Sidi Bennour, Essaouira, and El Jadida.
To make matters worse, temperatures are set to plunge. By Sunday, thermometers could drop as low as -7°C in Midelt, Boulemane, Tinghir, Azilal, Chichaoua, Ouarzazate, Al Haouz, Taroudant, and Ifrane. This cold snap is expected to last through the end of the weekend.
