The Algeria severe weather forecast issued on Thursday warns of an active weather disturbance set to impact large parts of the country from Friday, bringing thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, strong winds, and snowfall across both southern and northern regions.
Digital weather models indicate that southern provinces will be the first to experience the impact. Thunderstorms are expected to develop on Friday afternoon, with rainfall locally exceeding 50 mm in several areas.
The provinces most affected include Béchar, Béni Abbès, Ghardaïa, El Menea, Timimoun, El Yezzi, and Djanet, where intense rainfall could lead to localized flooding and difficult travel conditions.
In addition to heavy rain, southern regions such as Bordj Badji Mokhtar, Ain Guezam, and Adrar are forecast to experience strong winds reaching up to 60 km/h. These winds are expected to trigger significant sandstorms, reducing visibility and potentially disrupting transport and daily activities.
Northern regions will also see a marked change in weather conditions. Starting Friday, snowfall is expected in the eastern and central highlands at elevations of 1,200 meters or higher. This could affect mountainous areas and key transport routes.
By Friday afternoon, thunderstorms will extend to several northern provinces, including Skikda, Béjaïa, Souk Ahras, Annaba, Constantine, Sétif, Tizi Ouzou, Algiers, Blida, Médéa, Khenchela, M’Sila, Tébessa, and Bou Saada. Rainfall in these areas is expected to reach up to 30 mm, accompanied by occasional lightning and gusty winds.
The unstable weather pattern is forecast to persist into the weekend. On Sunday, a new disturbance is expected to move across the country, bringing further thunderstorms and heavy snowfall, particularly in the western highlands. Snow is predicted at elevations of 1,000 meters and above, with accumulation ranging between 5 and 10 cm across the high plateaus and inland western regions.
From Sunday onward, northern provinces are expected to face a series of successive disturbances. These will bring continued rainfall, hail, and snowfall, along with a noticeable drop in temperatures.
Authorities are likely to advise caution, especially for motorists and residents in high-risk areas, as the Algeria severe weather forecast points to potentially hazardous conditions in the coming days.
Sami B. is the founder and editor of Algeria News Gate, an independent English-language platform covering Algeria’s political, economic, and business developments. Based in Europe, he reports on official announcements, economic trends, and international relations involving Algeria.