In an unprecedented occurrence, temperatures in Morocco have soared beyond 50 degrees Celsius (120 Fahrenheit), marking a historic high, as confirmed by the country’s meteorological service during an ongoing scorching heatwave.
The meteorological station situated in the southern coastal city of Agadir documented a new national record of 50.4°C on Friday, as reported by the General Directorate of Meteorology.
Throughout the summer, Morocco has endured a succession of heatwaves, characterized by record-breaking temperatures.
The preceding record high temperature was 49.9°C, registered on July 13 in the Western Sahara city of Smara, as documented by the weather service.
Attributed to the inflow of parched and hot air from the south, this heatwave has resulted in a substantial elevation of temperatures, surpassing the monthly average by five to 13 degrees, as conveyed by the meteorological authority.
Consequently, wildfires have erupted in recent days across northern Morocco near Tangier and in Taza province to the east, causing forest damage but fortunately resulting in no casualties, according to reports from AFP journalists.
The month of July has gained notoriety for being the hottest ever recorded on Earth, as stated by the European Union’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. It has surpassed the prior record set in July 2019 by 0.33°C.
Adding to this, last month in Morocco was classified as the fourth hottest July since 1961.
Weather predictions anticipate a marginal decline in temperatures in the forthcoming days across the northern regions of North Africa.
