Morocco is on high alert as Storm Francis, a potent Atlantic disturbance, approaches, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snowfall to several regions from Friday. Authorities have issued red and orange-level alerts, urging citizens to exercise caution and prepare for potential disruptions as the storm peaks on Saturday. DR ‹ › Morocco is bracing for a new wave of severe weather as an active and powerful Atlantic disturbance, known as Storm Francis, approaches the Kingdom. The system is expected to affect several regions starting Friday and continuing into early next week, prompting official warnings over strong winds, heavy rainfall, snowfall, and a marked drop in temperatures. Speaking to Yabiladi, Hussein Youabed, communications officer at the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM), said Morocco is entering a phase of pronounced weather instability due to the arrival of an active Atlantic low-pressure system. He noted that occasionally strong winds will affect the northern and central Atlantic coasts and plains, the Atlas Mountains, the eastern region, and the northern Saharan provinces. Rainfall and localized thunderstorms are expected, particularly in Souss, Abda, Chiadma, Doukkala, and across the central Atlantic plains, extending northward to Tangier, Loukkos, and Gharb, and reaching locally into the southern provinces. Saturday to mark peak of the disturbance Weather conditions are forecast to worsen on Saturday, with heavy rainfall and local thunderstorms, especially in Souss, Abda, and Chiadma. Colder temperatures are expected across the Atlas Mountains, the southeast, and the eastern regions, accompanied by snowfall over the Atlas, Rif, and high eastern plateaus above 1,800 meters, as well as a noticeable daytime temperature drop. The disturbance is expected to persist into Sunday, with rainfall and occasional thunderstorms, potentially intense, in the Rif, the Atlas Mountains and their western foothills, Souss, Guelmim-Oued Noun, Abda, Chiadma, and the northern Atlantic plains north of El Jadida. Strong winds and snowfall over the High and Middle Atlas are also forecast to continue. On Monday and Tuesday, rainy conditions are expected to linger across the northern half of the country and the northern Saharan provinces, with continued snowfall in mountainous areas. Weather conditions are forecast to gradually stabilize from Wednesday, though cold temperatures are expected at night and in the early morning, particularly in mountainous regions. Alerts and warnings issued In response, the DGM has issued multiple warning bulletins at varying alert levels. An orange-level alert has been issued for strong winds on Friday, with gusts ranging between 75 and 105 km/h in several provinces, raising the risk of traffic disruption and dust storms. A red-level alert has also been issued for very heavy rainfall (80–120 mm) from Friday evening through Saturday in Agadir Ida-Outanane, Taroudant, and Essaouira, alongside orange alerts for moderate to heavy rainfall in several other provinces. Snowfall is expected above 1,600 meters, with accumulations of 10 to 30 cm, potentially causing difficulties on mountain roads. Calls for vigilance Hussein Youabed urged citizens to follow safety guidelines, including securing or removing objects that could be blown from rooftops and balconies, avoiding trees, poles, and billboards during strong winds, and refraining from crossing valleys or flooded roads during heavy rainfall. He also emphasized the importance of following official weather updates and complying with authorities' instructions. In a statement, the Ministry of Interior similarly called on citizens to exercise maximum caution and take all necessary precautions to reduce potential risks. The Ministry added that local authorities, in coordination with relevant departments, have implemented proactive measures, including clearing drainage systems and waterways, addressing flood-prone areas, mobilizing personnel, and deploying logistical resources, with all services placed on high alert to ensure rapid intervention and protect lives and property. Storm Francis is a powerful weather system generated by a deep Atlantic low-pressure zone and classified by the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. It has already affected parts of Western Europe and North Africa since early January, bringing strong winds, heavy rainfall, and rough seas. After impacting the Canary Islands, Spain, and Portugal, it is now advancing toward Morocco.
