Morocco Heat Wave: Temperatures Hit 46°C, Orange Alert Until Tuesday
Morocco's national weather service issues an orange alert for a heat wave reaching 46°C in several provinces from Saturday to Tuesday, along with thunderstorms and hail elsewhere in the kingdom.
Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) has issued an orange-level weather warning for a heat wave affecting several southern and Saharan provinces, running from Saturday, September 5 through Tuesday, September 8, 2026, with temperatures expected to reach 46°C in some areas. The heat wave is accompanied by strong thunderstorms with hail and gusty winds in other regions of the kingdom.
Hardest-hit provinces: temperatures between 42 and 46°C
According to the bulletin, the most intense heat, running from Saturday to Tuesday, will affect the following provinces:
| Province | Expected maximum temperature |
|---|---|
| Aousserd | 46°C |
| Es-Semara | 45°C |
| Assa-Zag | 42-46°C |
| Tata | 42-46°C |
| Boujdour | 42-46°C |
| Oued Ed-Dahab | 42-46°C |
| Zagora | 42-46°C |
Sustained heat up to 42°C in other provinces
Other provinces will see temperatures between 38 and 42°C, spread across two periods according to the bulletin:
| Period | Provinces affected |
|---|---|
| Saturday to Monday | Taounate, Sidi Bennour, Youssoufia, Beni Mellal, Fquih Ben Salah, Meknes, Khenifra, Fes, Moulay Yacoub, Taroudant, Guelmim, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Khouribga, Settat, El Kelaa des Sraghna, Rehamna, Khemisset, Safi, Marrakech, Ouezzane |
| Sunday to Monday | Sale, Essaouira, Kenitra, Berrechid, Benslimane, Larache, Chichaoua, Skhirate-Temara, Nouaceur, El Jadida |
Thunderstorms and hail in Fes-Meknes and Draa-Tafilalet
Besides the heat, the bulletin warns of strong thunderstorms with hail and violent winds, bringing 15 to 25 mm of rainfall, in the provinces of Ifrane, Midelt, Boulemane and Khenifra on Saturday between 2:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
Why this warning matters
The orange-level warning from Morocco's General Directorate of Meteorology signals a real risk to the population, particularly in provinces where temperatures could reach 46°C for four consecutive days, raising the risk of heatstroke, drought, and added strain on water and electricity networks in areas already under water stress. The thunderstorms with hail and strong winds in the Middle Atlas provinces also pose extra challenges for farmers and livestock breeders during this time of year. The bulletin comes amid a recurring pattern of late-summer heat waves in Morocco, a trend that climate studies link to the effects of climate change on the Mediterranean basin and North Africa.