Latest news with #Chergui
Morocco World
2 days ago
- Climate
- Morocco World
Flash Floods Strike Asni Region Following Heavy Thunderstorms
Rabat — Powerful thunderstorms brought sudden flooding to Morocco's mountainous Asni commune, in Al Haouz province, on Monday evening. The storms brought hail and caused the Imlil and Imnan rivers to overflow where they meet in the Asni area to form the Ghighaya river. The downpour started around 7 p.m. and quickly raised water levels throughout the mountainous region. The floods severely damaged local infrastructure, according to local sources who reported that the rushing floodwaters swept away equipment and machinery belonging to a company building a dam in the Ouirgane area. Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology had already issued a warning over predicted severe heat waves with easterly 'Chergui' winds, thunderstorms, and hail across several parts of the country. Weather officials warned residents about the risk of flash floods and flooding in the coming days. The extent of the floods reflects the climate challenges facing the mountainous regions of Al Haouz province. Weather experts point to increasingly severe weather patterns and climate change as major factors behind such extreme events. The Asni region sits in Morocco's High Atlas Mountains, where steep terrain can turn heavy rainfall into dangerous flash floods within minutes. Local authorities continue monitoring weather conditions as more storms may develop in the area. No casualties have been reported so far from Monday's flooding, but the damage to construction equipment shows how quickly mountain floods can impact development projects and infrastructure in the region. Tags: Al HaouzFlash floodsfloodsMorocco
Morocco World
3 days ago
- Climate
- Morocco World
Record Heat, Thunderstorms Expected in Morocco Until Wednesday
Rabat – The Moroccan weather authority has issued a warning of high temperatures accompanied by the 'Chergui' winds, as well as thunderstorms with hail and strong gusts of wind from Monday through Wednesday. According to an orange-level alert, thunderstorms with hail and gusty winds are expected Monday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. in the provinces of Al Haouz, Ouarzazate, and Taroudant, with rainfall amounts ranging between 20 and 40 millimeters. At the same time, the country is expected to experience a heatwave with temperatures ranging between 44°C and 47°C in the provinces of Tata, Assa-Zag, Smara, Boujdour, Oued Ed-Dahab, and Oussard, from Monday to Wednesday. Other areas are also likely to see high temperatures ranging from 39°C to 44°C on Monday, including cities such as Fez, Meknes, Marrakech, Tangier, Tetouan, Nador, Al Hoceima, Khouribga, and Beni Mellal, among others. Morocco has been experiencing unusually high temperatures in recent weeks, especially in its southern regions where the Chergui wind, a hot, dry wind from the Sahara, has intensified the heat. This has raised concerns over increased risk of wildfires and heat-related health issues for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and children. Similar heatwaves have been reported in Southern Europe, including Spain, Portugal, and Greece, where temperatures have soared past 40°C in several areas. Scientists link these extreme conditions to climate change, which increases the frequency and intensity of heatwaves worldwide. The effects are already being felt, including the rise of energy consumption due to air conditioning, stress on crops under prolonged high heat, and the risk of forest fires escalates. Experts warn that without proper adaptation measures, including better water management and public health preparedness, the region could face increasingly severe impacts from future heatwaves.
Morocco World
13-08-2025
- Climate
- Morocco World
Firefighters Battle Forest Fire Near Tetouan as Blaze Spreads
Rabat – Firefighting teams and the National Agency for Water and Forests are racing against time to put out a forest fire in the Benqrih commune, near Tetouan. The fire broke out on Tuesday evening at around 8:23 p.m., SNRT News reported. A civil protection official in Tetouan told the outlet that firefighting efforts are still ongoing to stop the flames from spreading to nearby areas. The same source explained that strong 'Chergui' winds in the region have fueled the fire and made it more difficult to control, along with the area's rugged terrain. Wildfires have become a growing risk in Morocco and across the Mediterranean, especially during hot and dry summer months. High temperatures, combined with drought conditions, dry vegetation, and strong winds, create ideal conditions for fires to ignite and spread quickly. Experts warn that climate change is also increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, which experts say will make wildfires more common in the years ahead. In recent weeks, Spain, Portugal, and Greece have also faced severe wildfires fueled by extreme heat and prolonged dryness. In Portugal, major fires in the center and north have burned thousands of hectares of land, and forced evacuations in several areas. In Spain, a man died from severe burns while rescuing horses near Madrid, and more than 3,700 people were evacuated as blazes destroyed thousands of hectares, killed livestock, and damaged a UNESCO site. Fires have also erupted in Albania, Croatia, Turkiye, Montenegro, and southern France, with record-breaking heat, strong winds, and prolonged drought making conditions highly flammable. Authorities across the region warn of 'extreme' fire risk and are investigating some outbreaks of the Europe fires as possible arson. Tags: MoroccoTetouanWildfires
Ya Biladi
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Ya Biladi
Heatwave and sandstorms forecasted for southern Morocco this weekend
Warm weather accompanied by Chergui winds and locally strong gusts with sandstorms is expected this Saturday and Sunday across several provinces in Morocco, according to the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM). In an orange-level alert bulletin, the DGM forecasts temperatures ranging between 43°C and 46°C on Saturday in the provinces of Tata, Zagora, Assa-Zag, Es-Smara, Boujdour, Oued Ed-Dahab, and Aousserd. Additionally, strong wind gusts of 70 to 80 km/h, along with sandstorms, are expected from 6 a.m. Saturday through 6 a.m. Sunday in the provinces of Boujdour, Oued Ed-Dahab, and Aousserd.
Ya Biladi
02-07-2025
- Climate
- Ya Biladi
Temperatures up to 46°C and thunderstorms forecast in Morocco from Wednesday to Saturday
A heatwave accompanied by Chergui winds and severe thunderstorms, with localized hail and strong gusts, is expected from Wednesday to Saturday across several provinces in Morocco, the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) announced. Temperatures ranging between 43°C and 46°C are forecast for the provinces of Tata, Zagora, Assa-Zag, Es-Smara, Boujdour, Oued Ed-Dahab, and Aousserd throughout the four-day period, according to an orange-level weather alert issued by the DGM. From Wednesday to Friday, temperatures are expected to range from 42°C to 44°C in the provinces of Ouezzane, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Meknès, Fès, Moulay Yacoub, Taounate, Khémisset, Khouribga, Béni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Settat, Rehamna, El Kelaâ des Sraghna, Marrakech, and Taroudant. Meanwhile, temperatures between 39°C and 42°C are forecast over the same period in the provinces of Sefrou, El Hajeb, Khénifra, Azilal, Al Haouz, Tan-Tan, and Guelmim. In addition to the high temperatures, severe thunderstorms with local hail and strong winds (15–25 mm) are expected on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the provinces of El Hajeb, Ifrane, Boulemane, Sefrou, Midelt, and Khémisset. The DGM added that similar storm activity (20–30 mm) is expected in Aousserd from 4 p.m. to midnight the same day, as part of the orange-level vigilance bulletin.
