Algiers, January 7, 2026 – A significant cold wave is sweeping across several provinces in Algeria, bringing with it heavy thunderstorms, substantial snowfall, and sharply decreased temperatures.
Weather authorities issued special alerts today, Wednesday, forecasting continued heavy, thundery rainfall until dawn on Thursday in the provinces of Jijel, Skikda, Annaba, and El Tarf. Residents are advised to exercise caution and take necessary precautions.
A separate weather advisory indicated that the provinces of Setif, Mila, Constantine, Guelma, and Souk Ahras would experience persistent heavy thunderstorms until 3:00 PM Wednesday.
Snowfall is expected to continue on elevations exceeding 800 meters, with accumulations reaching 15 cm and potentially exceeding 25 cm in the Chrea, Djurdjura, Babors, and Ouarsenis mountain ranges. This wintry weather pattern is expected to affect the provinces of Tlemcen, Naama, El Bayadh, Sidi Bel Abbes, Tiaret, Saida, Mascara, Tissemsilt, Ain Defla, Medea, Blida, Tipaza, Laghouat, Djelfa, M’Sila, Bouira, Tizi Ouzou, Bordj Bou Arreridj, Jijel, Bejaia, and Setif until midday Wednesday.
Higher elevations above 900 meters in Mila, Constantine, Skikda, Guelma, Souk Ahras, Oum El Bouaghi, Batna, Khenchela, and Tebessa are also bracing for continued heavy snowfall, with accumulations of up to 10 cm expected until midday Wednesday.
The cold snap is predicted to bring minimum temperatures as low as -5 degrees Celsius, with maximum temperatures ranging between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius, until dawn on Thursday in the provinces of Tlemcen, Naama, El Bayadh, Laghouat, Djelfa, Batna, Khenchela, Tebessa, Oum El Bouaghi, M’Sila, Tiaret, Tissemsilt, Saida, and Sidi Bel Abbes. Residents in these areas are urged to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from the extreme cold.