Temperatures of up to 46°C forecast across parts of Morocco

A heatwave, high temperatures and strong wind gusts accompanied by sandstorms are expected to affect several Moroccan provinces over the coming days, the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) said on Tuesday in an orange-level weather alert.

Temperatures of 44°C to 46°C are forecast from Tuesday to Thursday in the provinces of Zagora, Tata, Assa-Zag, Boujdour, Es-Semara, Aousserd and Oued Ed-Dahab.

The heatwave will then extend from Wednesday to Friday, with temperatures ranging between 41°C and 44°C in Kénitra, Taounate, Meknes, Fez, Moulay Yacoub, Khemisset, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Khouribga, Fquih Ben Salah, Settat, Youssoufia, Rehamna, El Kelâa des Sraghna, Chichaoua, Marrakech and Taroudant.

During the same period, temperatures of 38°C to 41°C are expected in Larache, Salé, Rabat, Skhirate-Témara, Nouaceur, Casablanca, Mohammedia, Berrechid, Benslimane, Mediouna, El Jadida, Sidi Bennour, Essaouira, Safi, Ouezzane, Khénifra and Béni Mellal, according to the DGM.

Meanwhile, hot weather with temperatures between 39°C and 43°C is forecast on Tuesday in the provinces of Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Inezgane-Aït Melloul, Chtouka-Aït Baha, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni, Guelmim, Tan-Tan, Tarfaya and Laâyoune, as well as Sidi Kacem, Taounate, Fquih Ben Salah, Marrakech, Khemisset, El Kelâa des Sraghna, Moulay Yacoub, Settat and Rehamna.

The DGM also warned of strong wind gusts of 75 to 80 km/h, accompanied by sandstorms, expected on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the provinces of Aousserd, Oued Ed-Dahab, Boujdour, Laâyoune and Es-Semara.