Residents of a North African city have witnessed snowfall for the first time in approximately 25 years, as an unusual cold wave swept across parts of the region, surprising locals and transforming streets into winter landscapes.
On January 7, 2026, the northeastern Moroccan city of Oujda recorded around two centimeters of snow in its city center, while surrounding rural areas saw accumulations of up to 10 centimeters, according to local reports.
Rare Weather Phenomenon
The snowfall occurred during a significant cold spell that caused a sharp drop in temperatures across parts of North Africa, driven by a powerful low-pressure system combined with an influx of cold air masses.
The phenomenon was especially unexpected in Oujda, a semi-arid region near the Algerian border, where winter temperatures typically range between 4°C and 10°C and snowfall is extremely rare.
Images shared on social media showed residents dressed in heavy winter clothing enjoying snow-covered streets, highlighting the extraordinary nature of the event.
Snow Common in Mountains, Rare in Cities
While snowfall is relatively common in Morocco’s mountain ranges, home to ski resorts such as Ifrane and Oukaimeden, it is highly unusual in low-lying urban areas like Oujda.
Although some local sources suggest the city experienced snowfall about 14 years ago, most meteorological references, including Arabia Weather, indicate that this was the first significant snowfall in roughly 25 years.
Climate Variability Raises Questions
The rare snowfall has renewed discussions about extreme weather variability and shifting climate patterns, as regions unaccustomed to winter precipitation experience increasingly unpredictable conditions.
