The north of Morocco, especially the region of Tangier-Tetouan-Al Hoceima, is currently affected by a storm called “Kristin” by Portugal. This storm mainly strikes the Iberian Peninsula, but it is actually part of what has come to be called the “train of Atlantic storms.”
At the end of January 2026, Western Europe, the Iberian Peninsula, and northern Morocco witnessed a series of strong successive storms named Joseph, Chandra, and Kristin. These storms are part of the European wind storm season 2025-2026, leading to what is described as a “train of storms” (comboio de tempestades), with successive impacts on Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and extending to North Africa, including Morocco.
Joseph Storm
- Name and Timing: Named by the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) on January 25, 2026.
- Main Effects:
- Heavy rain and river floods in northern Portugal.
- Giant waves reaching 12 meters along the western coast.
- Strong winds up to 100 km/h in elevated areas, with snowfall in the Serra da Estrela mountains.
- Orange and red warnings in several Portuguese regions, with risks of floods and landslides.
- Mainly Affected Areas: Northern and central Portugal, with side effects in Spain (Galicia) and northern Morocco.
Chandra Storm
- Name and Timing: Named by the UK Met Office on January 26, 2026.
- Main Effects:
- Gusty winds up to 120 km/h (75 mph) in some areas.
- Very heavy rain on previously saturated ground, leading to widespread flooding.
- Closure of schools and universities in Northern Ireland, with “danger to life” warnings in South West England and Ireland.
- Transport and power disruptions, with emergency declarations in some areas.
- Mainly Affected Areas: The United Kingdom (especially South West England and Northern Ireland), Ireland, with impacts on Northern Europe.
Kristin Storm
- Name and Timing: Named by the Portuguese IPMA on January 27, 2026, and made landfall on January 28.
- Main Effects:
- Destructive winds reaching 140-160 km/h (up to 177 km/h in some measurements), with the known “sting jet” phenomenon noted for its destructive power.
- Heavy rain and thunderstorms, with risks of urban flooding.
- High waves and severe maritime disturbance on the Portuguese coasts.
- Red warnings in northern and central Portugal (Porto, Aveiro, Coimbra), with potential catastrophic impacts.
- Mainly Affected Areas: Continental Portugal (especially the western coastal areas), northern Spain, with extensions to Morocco (strong winds and rain in the north and Atlantic coasts).
Common Effects and General Context
These three storms formed within a complex low-pressure system in the North Atlantic, where Joseph and Chandra revolved around each other, leading to the generation of Kristin as a strong secondary storm. The result was cumulative effects on land already saturated with water from previous storms (such as Francis and Ingrid earlier in the month), increasing the risks of flooding and landslides.
In Morocco, the impacts were indirect but noticeable, especially with Kristin, where the northern and coastal areas experienced strong winds (80-120 km/h), heavy rain, and high waves, along with warnings from the General Directorate of Meteorology.
