Cold snap and snowfall in parts of Morocco

Temperatures as low as minus 5ºC and some snowfall is forecast for tonight and tomorrow for the Middle Atlas and High Atlas area bounded by Azilal, Beni Mellal, Khénifra, Azrou, Ifrane, Sefrou, Boulemane, and Midelt. This weather pattern is not unusual, the Middle Atlas area is invariably the hardest hit by snow and Ifrane holds the record low temperature for Morocco of minus 27ºC.

Official forecast: https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/201...therf-morocco/

The forecast above might be a bit OTT, the local forecasts I normally use (weather.com) show Azrou is forecast with overnight low at minus 4ºC, Imlil at minus 8ºC, Chefchaouen and Ouarzazate hovering around freezing, Midelt at minus 2ºC, Khenifra at minus 1ºC, Ifrane at minus 5ºC. And of course wind chill will make the temperatures seem even lower.

Snow is forecast in some places but nowhere near as deep as the original National Meteorological Directorate forecast of half a metre. But who knows? These are only forecasts.

If you are planning to drive on the main N8 road from Fez to Marrakech or the main N13 road from Meknes to Midelt you will be passing through the area most affected. The Col du Zad on the N13 is likely to be quite bad.

It seems there's snow likely also on the Tizi n'Tichka pass on the main N9 road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate. This is from the forecast for the 2500m altitude in the locality, "A moderate fall of snow [12cm], heaviest on Mon afternoon. Freeze-thaw conditions (maximum 4°C on Mon morning, minimum minus 5°C on Mon night)."

Most main roads that are subject to snow have snow barriers which will be lowered to prevent traffic if the conditions are dangerous. Snow ploughs are strategically located at the barriers so they can be quickly deployed, and you should normally expect roads to be open again within 24 hours of the snow stopping.

The Moroccan authorities are normally good at laying grit on the roads, but still take care.

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