Morocco recorded its highest temperatures since the beginning of the 20th century in 2023, with average national temperatures 1.77°C higher than the climatological norm from 1981 to 2010, according to the annual report of Morocco’s meteorological agency (DGM).
The extremely high temperatures afflicted Morocco for much of the year, reaching a record-breaking 50.4°C in Agadir on 11 August. The conditions surpassed the previous 50°C limit, setting an unprecedented record in the country’s meteorological history.
The report finds that on 79% of days in 2023, daily temperatures exceeded the norm.
Beyond Morocco, 2023 has been the hottest year on record globally, with temperatures reaching approximately 1.45°C above pre-industrial levels.
In addition to the high temperatures, the kingdom recorded its driest year in at least 80 years, with a national rainfall deficit of 48%. The 2022-2023 agricultural season was severely affected, as rainfall fell 29% below normal, further worsening the impact of rising temperatures on crops, livestock, and water resources.
“2023 has been a year of extreme climate events,” the DGM report explained, pointing out more than 20 major weather events across Morocco.
The weather events included a significant spring heatwave in April that affected main regions of the country as well as neighboring regions in southern Europe and northern Africa.
“Morocco’s record heat and drought are part of a global trend of intensifying climate extremes, as concentrations of greenhouse gases continue to rise,” the report stated.
The socio-economic implications of the extreme heat in Morocco are far-reaching, from strained water supplies to reduced agricultural production. In response, the DGM has highlighted the need for accelerated action to both mitigate climate change and adapt to its unavoidable impacts.
The annual report underscores the importance of readiness, urging national and international efforts to address the climate crisis. “The urgency to mitigate climate change is clear,” the report concludes, “as is the necessity for Morocco and the world to adapt to the profound environmental shifts that are already underway.”