Record-breaking heatwave sweeps Morocco with temperatures soaring past 45°C

Morocco was hit by an exceptionally intense heatwave on June 27 and 28, with soaring temperatures driven by a particularly dry and powerful chergui wind. The extreme heat pushed thermometers well beyond seasonal norms, affecting both inland regions and coastal cities.

In several areas, temperatures hovered around or surpassed 45°C. Sidi Slimane saw the mercury rise to a scorching 47.1°C. In Benguerir, a new record of 46.1°C was set, beating the previous high of 45.3°C recorded on June 27, 2023. Taroudant followed closely with 46.9°C.

Larache experienced its hottest June day on record, reaching 43.8°C on June 28 and surpassing the previous record of 42.9°C from June 17, 2017. Casablanca also recorded a new monthly high of 39.5°C, exceeding the 38.6°C logged on June 25, 2011.

Unusually, even coastal cities—typically buffered by oceanic influence—were not spared. Hot inland air dominated, and in Essaouira, temperatures came dangerously close to the all-time high of 39.4°C set on June 9, 1948, representing a jump of more than 20°C above normal.

More than fifteen regions across the country recorded temperatures above 40°C, underscoring the exceptional scale and severity of this heatwave.