Saudi Arabia Weather Alert: Heavy Rain, Snow & Wind – Friday/Saturday

Severe Weather Alert: Heavy Rain, Snow, and High Winds Forecast for Morocco this Weekend

A major weather system is poised to impact several provinces across the Kingdom of morocco, bringing heavy rain, significant snowfall, and dangerously strong winds beginning Friday and continuing through Saturday. The warning was issued by the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM),urging residents to prepare for potentially hazardous conditions.

The DGM has issued alerts at varying levels of severity, indicating the widespread nature of the impending weather event. According to the DGM, the most intense rainfall – between 80 and 120 millimeters – is expected in the provinces of Agadir Ida-Outanane, Taroudant, and Essaouira, beginning Friday at 5 p.m. and lasting until Saturday at 6 p.m. This has prompted a red vigilance level alert in these regions.

Elsewhere, provinces including Safi, Sidi bennour, El Jadida, Chtouka Ait Baha, Inezegane, Ait Melloul, Tiznit, Chichaoua, al Haouz, and Youssoufia are under an orange vigilance level alert, wiht forecasts predicting cumulative rainfall between 30 and 45 millimeters during the same timeframe.

Did you know? – Morocco’s mountainous terrain considerably influences its weather patterns, creating localized variations in rainfall and snowfall amounts. The Atlas Mountains are particularly susceptible to heavy snow.

Beyond the rain, significant snowfall is anticipated in higher elevations.The DGM forecasts snowfall above 1,600 meters, accumulating between 10 and 30 centimeters, from Saturday at 12 a.m. to 6 p.m. The affected provinces include midelt, tinghir, Azilal, Ouarzazate, Al Haouz, Taroudant, and Chichaoua.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, strong to locally very strong winds are expected. The DGM warns of wind gusts reaching 95 to 105 km/h in the provinces of Al Haouz and Chichaoua from Friday at 12 a.m. to 11 p.m. Other areas will experiance strong winds as well: 90 to 100 km/h in El Jadida, Sidi Bennour, Safi, Essaouira, Midelt, and Azilal; and 75 to 90 km/h in Youssoufia, figuig, Jerada, Oujda-Angad, Taourirt, El kelaa des Sraghna, Marrakech, Rehamna, Agadir Ida Outanane, and Taroudant.

Pro tip – Secure outdoor furniture, loose objects, and ensure drainage systems are clear to mitigate potential damage from heavy rain and strong winds.

Residents in the affected provinces are advised to exercise extreme caution, secure loose objects, and avoid unnecessary travel during the peak of the storm. The DGM’s timely warning underscores the importance of preparedness in the face of potentially disruptive weather events.

Why: A major weather system is bringing heavy rain, snowfall, and strong winds to Morocco.
Who: The provinces affected include Agadir Ida-Outanane,Taroudant,Essaouira,Safi,Sidi Bennour,El Jadida,and many others across the Kingdom. Residents of these areas are urged to prepare.
What: The DGM has issued red and orange alerts for varying levels of rainfall and snowfall, alongside warnings of dangerously high winds.
How did it end?: As of this report, the storm is ongoing, with the heaviest rainfall and winds expected through Saturday evening. The DGM has not yet issued a statement regarding the storm’s dissipation, but continues to monitor the situation and provide updates.