Deep air depression and snow at the end of the week in the Maghreb and stable weather in the eastern Mediterranean

Arab Weather - The weather maps at the Arab Weather Center indicate that the Maghreb countries will be affected by a polar air mass of very cold origin, accompanied by a deep and stormy low pressure system starting tonight and during the weekend. In contrast, the eastern Mediterranean basin region is witnessing a strong high pressure system and temperatures higher than their averages for this time of year.

Very cold weather in Algeria and Tunisia, with heavy snow accumulating over the mountainous heights

In detail, the Maghreb countries are affected by a polar air mass of very cold origin accompanied by a deep air depression (eastern return), where the weather is very cold, clouds multiply, and rain falls on various regions of northwestern Libya, Tunisia, and various northern regions of Algeria, including the capital. The rains are very heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and strong hailstorms. The terrain and topography of the land contribute to the process of raising the air, especially the Atlas Mountains and neighboring areas. Mountain valleys and low-lying areas are prone to sudden torrential floods, in addition to the high risk of flooding in several areas due to the large amounts of rain expected in some areas.

Snow is expected to fall over many areas in northern Algeria and northern Tunisia, especially those with an altitude of more than 1000 meters, sometimes extending below that due to the strength and density of cumulus clouds. The snow will sometimes be dense and accumulated in different thicknesses according to the altitude, and the accumulation increases the higher the altitude above sea level. The snow will also lead to the closure of roads and accumulate on tree branches and electricity pole wires.

Low pressure and polar air mass include Morocco

According to the same weather maps we have at the Arab Weather Regional Center, the effects of the low pressure system and the very cold air mass include the Maghreb, where cold to very cold weather prevails in northern Morocco, and rain falls in varying amounts, accompanied by thunder and hail showers, and snow showers fall over the Atlas Mountains, accumulating as the altitude increases above sea level.

Strong winds and very cold weather in all regions of the Maghreb

During the influence of the polar air mass, the atmosphere will be cold to very cold and minimum temperatures will drop below zero degrees Celsius, especially in northern Algeria. Northwesterly to westerly winds will blow, active to strong in speed, accompanied by strong gusts exceeding 100 km/h over the mountainous heights, especially from Morocco and Algeria. A rough sea will prevail and waves will reach more than 4 meters high near the coast and in the depths. On a different note, strong winds are expected to cause strong and huge dust waves in many desert areas of Morocco, Algeria and Libya.

Low pressure and snow in Morocco affect the stability of the weather in the eastern Mediterranean

Scientifically, the weather systems in the Northern Hemisphere are linked to each other, as the relationship between the shape of the weather systems in southern Europe and the Maghreb countries is inverse. In order for the countries of the eastern Mediterranean basin to be affected by depressions and winter systems, a high must be centered over southwestern Europe and the Maghreb countries.

But in the current situation, the rush of cold winds towards the aforementioned regions leads to the displacement of winds that are stronger than their average towards the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, which results in a delay in rainfall and the control of high-pressure systems that prevent the advance of winter depressions towards the region.

God knows best.