Morocco faces 44°C heatwave, storms and strong winds this weekend

A heatwave, thunderstorms and strong wind gusts are expected to affect several regions of Morocco from Friday through Sunday, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM).

An orange-level weather alert issued by the DGM forecasts temperatures ranging between 41°C and 44°C in the provinces of Errachidia, Zagora, Tata, Assa-Zag, Es-Semara, Boujdour, Aousserd and Oued Ed-Dahab during the three-day period.

The agency also warned of thundery showers, locally accompanied by hail, with rainfall totals of 20 to 30 mm expected on Friday between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the provinces of Boulemane, Jerada and Figuig.

Meanwhile, strong wind gusts reaching 75 to 80 km/h are forecast in the provinces of Tangier-Assilah and Fahs-Anjra on Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., the DGM added.