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Morocco Braces for Continued Severe Weather: Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, and High Winds Forecast Through Sunday

RABAT — Morocco’s General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) has issued an urgent weather alert warning of continued heavy rainfall, localized thunderstorms, and gale-force winds across several regions through Sunday, February 8, 2026. The alert comes as th

e country grapples with a series of powerful Atlantic systems, most recently intensified by Storm Leonardo, which has already triggered catastrophic flooding in the northern provinces.

Severe Weather Alerts and Forecasts

The DGM has maintained Red and Orange level alerts for the following conditions:

• Heavy Rainfall & Thunderstorms: Accumulated rainfall is expected to reach between 60 and 150 mm in the most affected northern regions. These downpours are often accompanied by hail and intense lightning.

• High Winds: Wind gusts ranging from 75 to 100 km/h are forecast across the North, the Rif, and the Oriental regions, as well as parts of the Atlas mountains.

• Mountainous Snowfall: Snow accumulations of 20 to 60 cm are expected at altitudes above 1,500 meters, particularly in the Middle and High Atlas ranges.

Affected Provinces

The severe weather is expected to impact a wide swathe of the Kingdom:

• Red Alert (Extreme Risk): Chefchaouen, M’diq-Fnideq, Tetouan, Tanger-Assilah, Ouezzane, Larache, and Fahs-Anjra.

• Orange Alert (Significant Risk): Al Hoceima, Taounate, Taza, Kenitra, Sefrou, Fez, Sidi Kacem, Beni Mellal, and Meknes.

• Wind & Cold Impact: Ouarzazate, Midelt, Taroudant, Tinghir, and Figuig are expected to see significant temperature drops, with some mountainous areas dipping as low as -6°C.

Flooding and Humanitarian Impact

The current weather cycle follows a week of record-breaking precipitation that has pushed Morocco’s hydraulic infrastructure to its limits.

1. Mass Evacuations: As of Friday, February 6, authorities reported that over 108,000 residents have been evacuated from flood-prone zones. The city of Ksar El-Kebir has been hit particularly hard, with local officials describing water "coming in from every corner" as the Loukkos River overflowed.

2. Infrastructure Damage: Reports indicate widespread power and water outages in the northern provinces. Several villages in the Taounate region have been isolated due to the flooding of Oued Ouergha.

3. Military Response: King Mohammed VI has ordered the Moroccan military to assist with rescue and relief operations, deploying trucks and heavy machinery to facilitate evacuations and clear blocked mountain passes.

Safety Recommendations

The DGM and local authorities have urged citizens to exercise extreme caution:

• Avoid Wadis and Riverbeds: Stay away from low-lying areas and riverbanks, as flash floods can occur with little warning.

• Limit Travel: Avoid unnecessary travel in mountainous regions where snow and low visibility create hazardous driving conditions.

• Secure Property: Residents in high-wind areas should secure outdoor items and avoid standing near trees, signage, or unstable structures.

While the rainfall has been devastating for urban centers and floodplains, agricultural officials note that the surge in water levels has significantly replenished the country's dams, potentially ending years of persistent drought.

The DGM is expected to provide further updates as the weather systems evolve.