Rabat, Morocco - A cold wave described by residents as exceptional was hitting Morocco on Tuesday, raising hopes that snow and rainfall would help to supply water for the agricultural season.

This week's cold wave has affected all parts of the country, but mainly the Ifrane area in the northern Atlas mountains. Rain and snowfall were reported also in Oujda near the Algerian border.

"We have not seen such cold and snowfall in two decades," residents told national television, explaining that the demand for firefood had risen in rural areas.

It has rained substantially in Morocco since September, raising hopes of a good harvest in the agricultural country the economic growth of which depends largely on weather conditions. (dpa)