Rabat: Heavy thunderstorms with hail, strong wind gusts, snowfall and cold weather are forecast from Friday to Sunday in several Moroccan provinces, the General Directorate of Meteorology (DGM) announced.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, heavy thunderstorms with hail and sporadic wind gusts (15-25 mm) are expected on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. in the provinces of Kenitra, Sidi Kacem, Sidi Slimane, Safi, Sidi Bennour, Sal©, Rabat, El Jadida, and Essaouira, the DGM said in an orange-level weather alert.

From Saturday at 12:00 a.m. to Sunday at 10:00 a.m., the same phenomenon, with rainfall totals ranging between 55 and 75 mm, will affect Safi, Essaouira, El Jadida, Sidi Bennour, Berrechid, Casablanca, Mediouna, Nouaceur, Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane, Chtouka-Ait Baha, Inezgane-Ait Melloul, and Taroudant.

The provinces of Kelaa Sraghna, Rehamna, Marrakech, Settat, Chichaoua, Youssoufia, Tiznit, Khenifra, Fquih Ben Salah, Beni Mellal, Azilal, Al Haouz, Mohammedia, Khouribga, and Benslimane will also record, during the same period, rainfall levels ranging between 35 and 55 mm.

Meanwhile, snowfall above 1,500 meters is expected on Saturday and Sunday in the provinces of Azilal, Midelt, Ouarzazate, Ifrane, Al Haouz, and Tinghir, with accumulations ranging from 20 to 40 cm, while snowfall of 10 to 15 cm is forecast in the provinces of Boulemane, Khenifra, Chichaoua, Taroudant, Chefchaouen, Al Hoceima, and Beni Mellal.

Moreover, strong wind gusts ranging between 75 and 85 km/h are expected on Saturday from 1:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the provinces of Safi, Chichaoua, Sidi Bennour, Essaouira, and El Jadida.

Finally, cold weather with temperatures ranging between -7°C and -3°C is forecast from Friday to Sunday in the provinces of Midelt, Boulemane, Tinghir, Azilal, Chichaoua, Ouarzazate, Al Haouz, Taroudant, and Ifrane.