Severe Weather Prompts Ministry Warning; Road Users Advised to Postpone Travel

22 October 2023 Printable Version

Rabat - In the wake of powerful wind gusts accompanied by dust storms and heavy rainfall, several Moroccan regions faced adverse weather conditions this Sunday. The Ministry of Equipment and Water is urging all road and highway users to exercise caution and vigilance due to reduced visibility, and in some cases, complete lack of visibility.

In an official statement, the ministry is advising road and highway users to postpone their journeys until weather conditions improve, which is expected to happen starting at 8:00 PM this Sunday.

For more details and updates, the ministry has provided a dedicated hotline: 05 37 71 17 17

The General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) had issued a red-level alert on Saturday for strong wind gusts accompanied by dust storms and heavy rain, occasionally with thunderstorms. These conditions were forecasted for Sunday and Monday in several provinces across the Kingdom.

According to the alert, the wind gusts are expected to reach speeds of 100 to 110 km/h (62 to 68 mph) on Sunday, occurring from 5:00 AM to 5:00 PM in the provinces of Essaouira, Safi, Chichaoua, El Jadida, and Sidi Bennour.

In an orange-level alert, the DGM had predicted wind gusts at speeds of 75 to 90 km/h (47 to 56 mph) in the provinces of Al Haouz and Youssoufia during the same period.

These strong wind gusts, reaching speeds of 75 to 95 km/h (47 to 59 mph), are anticipated to affect several provinces until 8:00 PM on Sunday, including Nouaceur, Mohammadia, Benslimane, Mediouna, Casablanca, Berrechid, Fqih Ben Saleh, Khouribga, Settat, Marrakech, Rehamna, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Skhirate-Temara, Khemisset, Rabat, Salé, Sidi Slimane, Meknes, El Hajeb, and Sidi Kacem, as per the same source.

In addition, wind gusts with dust storms are forecasted to reach speeds of 75 to 100 km/h (47 to 62 mph) on Sunday from 2:00 PM to 12:00 AM in the provinces of Mdiq-Fnideq, Tetouan, Al Hoceima, Kenitra, Larache, Chefchaouen, Fahs-Anjra, and Tangier-Assilah.

Furthermore, heavy rainfall, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, with an estimated accumulation of 30-50 mm (1.2 to 2 inches), is expected in the provinces of Chefchaouen, Larache, and Tetouan, starting at 5:00 PM on Sunday and continuing until 6:00 AM on Monday, according to the same source.