The upcoming year’s winter is on the verge of a shift, according to climate expert Mohamed Benabou. With an imposing 90% chance of El Nino’s arrival, this forecast disrupts the usual winter expectations, and brings extreme weather.
Speaking to MoroccoLatestNews AR, Benabou said El Nino, a major weather event, is very likely to happen, with a 90% chance, as confirmed by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO).
In the coming winter, we can expect lots of unpredictable weather. El Nino is set to make things more uncertain in Morocco. Get ready for more and stronger storms, which could lead to heavy rains, floods, and landslides in different parts of the country, said Benabou.
He emphasized that this upcoming autumn will be exceptional, characterized by climatic anomalies that have led certain regions to experience only two distinct seasons: a prolonged hot season transitioning from summer to fall, followed by a cold winter season. Interestingly, Morocco will witness a heatwave during the spring season, as observed this year when temperatures soared above 43 degrees Celsius in some areas.
But it remains tricky to figure out exactly how El Nino will affect Morocco’s weather as the year goes on. It could change things like rainfall, wind patterns, and temperatures, but the effects might vary depending on where you are .
For instance Professor Adam Scaife from the UK’s Met Office told Euronews that in parts of southern Europe, it might mean more rain overall. But it’s important to know that these are just general trends, and El Nino doesn’t guarantee specific outcomes.
El Nino is known for causing higher temperatures and extreme weather all over the world. It usually lasts for about 9 to 12 months but sometimes even longer. It usually gets strongest between November and January. Scientists are still learning about why this happens and how it works.
This El Nino event is likely to continue into 2024, and experts think it will get even stronger in the coming months before ending in the spring of the following year.