Storm Charles brought over 100 mm of rain and wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h to Morocco on November 11 and 12, forcing widespread school closures and disrupting transport before finally weakening.
The severe weather system has now dissipated, according to the Direction générale de la météorologie (DGM), as reported by Le 360 Français. While the broader system has moved away, lingering conditions continue to affect parts of the north.
Very weak residual effects remain perceptible in the Tangérois, the Loukkos, western Rif, and the western Mediterranean coast, where scattered showers persist, the DGM reported to Le360. Forecasters expect a gradual weather improvement across most of the national territory starting Saturday, though the extreme north may see ongoing variable conditions.
The intense storm brought dramatic precipitation totals between Wednesday and Thursday morning, exceeding 100 mm across three stations in the Agadir-Ida-Ou-Tanane prefecture, according to H24info. Meanwhile, wind gusts ranged from 60 to 100 km/h, peaking at 107.4 km/h at Casablanca’s airport.
In Tangier, heavy downpours submerged multiple major roads, particularly affecting the Bni Makada and Riad Tétouan districts, Le360 noted. LesEco.ma reported that severe winds also tore down trees and forced the suspension of maritime passenger crossings between Tanger Ville and Tarifa, as well as routes linking Algeciras and Ceuta.
The violent weather severely tested municipal infrastructure, particularly in Casablanca, where an electrical failure hit the Dar Bouazza and Ouled Haddou substations shortly after 17:00 on Wednesday. The incident cut power to several neighborhoods, including Sidi Belyout, Maârif, Gauthier, and Bourgogne, after four 225 kV lines were damaged simultaneously by storms and high winds. Power was fully restored by 20:54, according to the Office National de l’Electricité et de l’Eau (ONEE).
Tuniscope reported that the blackout knocked out traffic lights, causing major traffic jams, while also impacting internet services, healthcare facilities, and local businesses. On Thursday, Government Spokesperson Samir Belfkih described the storm as an exceptional event and praised authorities for restoring power in record time, as noted by Le360.
Air and road travel suffered immediate repercussions. An Air France flight from Paris to Casablanca, flight AF1196, was forced to abort its landing at Mohammed V International Airport and divert to Rabat-Salé. On Thursday, authorities interrupted road traffic between Guelmim and Assa near douar Tarkamit due to overflowing rivers.
The storm’s toll turned tragic in Casablanca on Wednesday evening when a boundary wall collapsed at the Abdellah Guennoune high school in the Salmia district during violent winds, leaving one person dead and another seriously injured. Local residents had previously filed complaints regarding the structural safety of the wall, according to Tuniscope.
To safeguard students and residents, regional authorities suspended classes across multiple provinces and prefectures, extending closures through Thursday in Tétouan, Al Hoceima, Chefchaouen, Larache, Ouezzane, Fahs-Anjra, M’diq-Fnideq, and Sidi Bennour.
Despite the disruptions, the heavy rainfall delivered a welcome boost to Morocco’s water reserves. Precipitation successfully moistened agricultural soils ahead of the planting season while channeling much-needed volume into local groundwater tables and national dam reservoirs.
