Morocco: flood in Safi and cold wave – warnings for tourists in December 2025

Extreme weather events have struck Morocco again. In recent days, the country has experienced a sudden deterioration in weather conditions, the most tragic consequence being a flash flood in Safi on the Atlantic coast. According to the Moroccan Ministry of the Interior, at least 37 people have been killed. At the same time, the country is facing a cold wave, intense rainfall and snowfall, as well as a series of meteorological warnings. What can travelers expect?

Deadly flood

Torrential rain and storms that passed over Safi Province on Sunday, 14 December 2025, led to a flash flood in the port city of Safi (about 330 km south of Rabat). Water surged into streets and homes, sweeping away cars and household items. Reports from the scene indicated that in some locations the water level reached several meters.

According to data provided by the authorities, around 70 houses and premises were flooded, and the current carried away more than a dozen vehicles. Injured people were taken to hospital, while emergency services conducted rescue and search operations. The scale of the damage triggered a wave of criticism concerning the resilience of infrastructure, including drainage systems, in the historic part of the city. Regardless of the assessment of the causes, one thing is certain: on the Atlantic coast, where intense rainfall can be concentrated over a short period of time, the impact on the urban fabric can be severe.

Heavy rainfall and snow also caused disruptions in other provinces. Media reports mentioned temporary decisions to suspend school classes in selected areas due to forecasts of further hazardous phenomena, including heavy rain, snow and wind.

Unexpected cold wave

The weather problems did not end there. Since Saturday, 13 December, Morocco has been under the influence of an episode combining intense precipitation, an influx of very cold air and high atmospheric instability, as described in analyses by the Direction Générale de la Météorologie (Maroc Meteo).

In some regions, especially in the northwestern part of the country, 24 hour precipitation totals exceeded 70 mm. At the same time, snow in the mountains reached about 50 cm, with higher values locally on the peaks. Maroc Meteo issued warning bulletins within its vigilance system. In recent days these included the highest level warnings for heavy snowfall, on the order of 50 to 80 cm in selected provinces at specified elevations, as well as warnings for heavy rain and strong winds.

Today, in many cities in the north of the country, temperatures range from 4 to 7°C, and rain intensifies the feeling of cold. In Marrakesh it is only 7°C, while in Casablanca it is 9°C. Maroc Meteo is maintaining an orange warning level, cautioning against strong winds, cold conditions and precipitation.

A holiday trip to Morocco? Pack wisely

In recent years Morocco has become a popular winter destination for Europeans, attracting visitors with its architecture, medinas, bazaars and excursions beyond the cities. It is worth remembering, however, that a Moroccan winter does not look the same across the entire country.

In January, the Atlantic coast is often mild but not hot: typical daytime maxima are around 17°C in Casablanca and about 20°C in Agadir, with nights noticeably cooler. Therefore, even during a sun seeking trip, it makes sense to pack a warmer layer for the evening and early morning.

If you are planning to travel by car, keep in mind that after intense rainfall some roads may be temporarily impassable or damaged. Reports following the flood pointed, among other things, to numerous sections cut off by water. The risk increases in mountainous areas and on routes leading to attractions located in valleys and foothills, for example towards the Drâa Valley.

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main photo: pemacallan/Pixabay