A wave of very strong heat will sweep over Morocco in the coming days and temperatures could easily reach 47°C, the General Directorate of Meteorology indicated this week in a red alert bulletin.
The heat wave between 45 and 47° C is expected from Sunday to Tuesday in the provinces of Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Larache, Kénitra, Ouezzane, Taounate, Khemisset, Fquih Ben Saleh, Settat, Rehamna, El Kelaa des Seraghna , Marrakech Chichaoua Youssoufia, Sidi Bennour and Taroudant, specifies the DGM in a red vigilance level alert bulletin.
It is also expected, according to the same source, that temperatures between 42 to 45 ° C in the provinces of Agadir Ida Outanae, Inezegane ait Melloul, Chtouka ait Baha, Tiznit, Sidi Ifni, Tan-Tan, Guelmim, Assa Zag , Es-Semara and Aousserd, adds the same source with an orange vigilance level.
Temperatures of between 39 and 43°C are also expected to affect the provinces of Moulay Yacoub, Fez, Meknes, Sefrou, El Hajeb, Khénifra, Khouribga, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Al Haouz, Essaouira, Errachidia and Zagora, and between 36 and 39°C in the provinces of Safi, El Jadida, Berrechid, Nouaceur, Casablanca, Mediouna, Mohammadia, Benslimane, Skhirate-Temara, Rabat and Salé.
In this context, Mohamed Benabou, a climate expert, said: “ Today, the different regions of the Kingdom are experiencing a rise in temperature, which is expected to reach record levels in the coming days, exceeding 46 degrees Celsius. The Mediterranean basin, which is experiencing exceptional climatic changes compared to the Arctic region, plays a major role in the rise in temperatures experienced by the different regions of the Kingdom. “.
Benabou confirmed to MoroccoLatestNews that ” this year will be known as a hot summer, given the frequency of heat waves in various regions”, noting that among the main reasons for the rise in temperatures is the phenomenon of global warming associated with another climatic phenomenon known as the name of “El Nino” according to studies by many scientists in this field “.
And the expert to continue: You have to be careful and avoid direct exposure to the sun during the period from noon to three in the afternoon, to avoid unfortunate consequences on health, especially in children and the elderly.
For his part, Dr Mohamed Saïd Karrouk, professor of climatology at Hassan II University in Casablanca, said: “What we are experiencing in this period is a heat wave due to an anticyclone over the Kingdom and hot air from Africa and the Sahara in particular, on its way to North Africa and Europe. This results in a high temperature in the Kingdom, given its geographical location.
The professor of climatology said that “ perhaps the temperature recorded today in Morocco is considered more than normal”, emphasizing the caution in using this term. Because according to Mohamed Said Karrouk “ the usual no longer exists given the climate change we are witnessing today “, adding that” many climatologists, in addition to the rest of the population, admit that the temperature of the earth has increased “.
And our interlocutor to continue: We live today in a “warmer climate” than before (the last third of the last century) “, adding that” this high temperature hinders a whole range of activities and makes daily life difficult “. Karrouk insisted on ” the need to stay at home and not expose yourself to direct sunlight except when necessary to avoid the dangers of it”, emphasizing “the need to integrate and withstand the heat of today’s climate” Because, according to the climatologist, the high temperatures recorded in many regions are no longer an anomaly, but rather a regular situation in which we have been living since the end of the last century.
It should be noted that the General Directorate of Meteorology has strongly advised, with regard to the areas where the heat wave will rage, to extreme caution. It will also be necessary to drink water and liquids, and not to expose yourself to direct sunlight, especially at midday. You also have to choose to stay as long as possible in the shade and a “special care“Care scrupulously for the care of children, the elderly and the sick.