The morning didn’t arrive quietly in Oujda. For the primary time in almost 25 years, snowfall was noticed within the central space of the town, situated within the northeastern area of Morocco, on January 7, 2026. Roughly two centimetres of snow settled throughout the downtown streets, whereas the adjoining villages skilled considerably extra snowfall. Contemplating that it was a semi-arid metropolis situated close to the Algerian border, the sight appeared uncommon. Officers referred to it as an uncommon incidence, whereas locals referred to it as peculiar. For a number of hours, the town paused to judge itself as soon as extra in a extra deliberate method.
Oujda in Africa, witnesses snowfall after 25 years of dry winters
Oujda isn’t recognized for snow. Winter temperatures normally sit between 4°C and 10°C, chilly however dry, with clear mornings and muted color. Snow belongs to different components of Morocco, removed from the town centre and the every day routines of the east. That’s the reason the sight of rooftops, pavements, and parked automobiles flippantly coated got here as a shock.Residents have been seen strolling via streets lined with snow, some laughing, some filming, and others merely standing nonetheless. Many wore heavy outerwear, extra widespread in mountain cities. Social media crammed shortly with photographs of the town underneath a pale layer of white. For a lot of youthful residents, it was the primary time they’d ever seen snow the place they dwell.
A chilly climate system brings uncommon circumstances
Climate specialists mentioned the snowfall adopted a pointy drop in temperatures throughout components of North Africa. In keeping with Arabia Climate, Morocco was affected by a deep low-pressure system that pushed a really chilly air mass into the area. Temperatures fell near zero levels Celsius, even at low altitudes.This mixture allowed snow crystals to achieve the bottom with out melting. Oujda’s geographical place additionally performed a job. The town is open to chilly northerly and easterly winds, which helped flip precipitation into snow moderately than rain. Snow showers started on Tuesday night and continued into Wednesday morning, leaving a visual layer throughout the town.
Surrounding villages document heavier snowfall
Whereas Oujda itself noticed round 2 centimetres of snow within the metropolis centre, the encircling areas skilled extra intense circumstances. Villages reminiscent of Tinisan and Touissit recorded snowfall as much as 10 centimetres. The chilly wave closely affected these areas, which lie barely exterior the city core.Roads and rooftops in these villages have been coated extra thickly, and motion slowed as residents adjusted to the circumstances. Although snow is widespread in Morocco’s Excessive and Center Atlas mountain ranges, together with ski areas like Ifrane and Oukaimeden, it stays uncommon on this a part of the nation. That distinction made the occasion stand out much more.
Uncommon occasion stirs pleasure and reflection
Regardless of the bitter chilly, many residents expressed happiness. Some described the snowfall as a welcome change; others as a constructive signal for water reserves and agriculture. There was no sense of alarm within the streets, solely curiosity and quiet pleasure. Because the snow started to skinny and soften, the town slowly returned to its standard colors, abandoning movies, photographs, and a reminiscence that won’t return for a few years.
