Photo by Kaique Rocha via Pexels
Since the opening days of the Africa Cup of Nations 2025, persistent rain across several host cities has caught the attention of fans and observers. While unusual at first glance, the weather conditions are closely linked to what meteorological institutions have described as a rare and exceptional rainfall season in Morocco.
An Unusually Wet Winter After Years of Drought
According to data and assessments published by Moroccan meteorological services and relayed by international climate monitoring organizations, the 2024–2025 winter has been one of the wettest Morocco has experienced in recent years. After successive seasons marked by drought, the country has been affected by a series of Atlantic low-pressure systems bringing sustained rainfall, particularly to northern and Atlantic regions such as Rabat, Casablanca, Tangier, and Fès.
This pattern is consistent with Morocco’s winter climate, but the frequency and intensity of the rain this year stand out. National weather agencies have noted rainfall totals well above seasonal averages in several regions, describing the period as “exceptional” in both volume and continuity.
Atlantic Systems and Climate Variability
Meteorologists explain that humid air masses from the North Atlantic have repeatedly reached Morocco, driven by a strong westerly circulation. These systems, combined with colder continental air, have resulted in prolonged and sometimes heavy precipitation.
Climate experts also point to increased weather variability linked to global climate change, which is making wet seasons wetter and dry periods drier across North Africa.
Impact on AFCON and Beyond
Despite the rain, AFCON 2025 matches have gone ahead without major disruption thanks to modern stadium drainage and infrastructure. Beyond football, the rainfall has been widely welcomed for its positive impact on reservoirs, agriculture, and water security.
In short, the rainy backdrop to AFCON 2025 reflects a unique meteorological year in Morocco, shaped by natural seasonal factors and amplified by broader climatic shifts.
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