Cold air mass forecast to bring strong winds, rain and snow this week

AMMAN — The country will be affected by a cold air mass and a depression on Tuesday, forecast to bring strong winds, rain and snow, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

The cold air mass and depression, which will centre over south of Turkey, will prevail until Saturday morning, JMD Director General Mohammad Samawi said on Monday.

“The combined weather conditions will bring light to medium snow to the northern governorates (Ajloun and Jerash) on Wednesday and Thursday, and light snow to the central region (Greater Amman and Balqa) and the southern region (Shobak, Karak and Aqaba),” Samawi told The Jordan Times.

He explained that the snow accumulation, especially in the central region, is not expected to obstruct traffic movement, highlighting that the impact of the combined weather condition will be weaker than the one that affected the country in early January. 

During last month’s blizzard, dubbed Huda, Ras Munif in Ajloun Governorate registered the highest snow accumulation of 75 centimetres, while the lowest temperatures were recorded in Shobak in Tafileh Governorate, where mercury levels plunged to -8°C.

“However, the authorities and the public are advised to take precautionary measures,” Samawi said.

The weather will become cold and windy on Tuesday afternoon, with rain and thunder starting in the north and moving gradually to the central and southern regions of the country, according to the JMD.

Winds will be southwesterly brisk with strong gusts at times, while temperatures in Amman will range between 15°C during the day and 5°C at night.

The JMD issued warnings of expected low visibility in most of the country due to strong sand-raising winds. The department also warned of strong gusty winds and possible flood formation after midnight in the northern region.

The impact of the combined weather conditions will deepen on Wednesday as more cold air blows towards the region, with rain and thunder expected during the day in the northern and central regions, and moving to the south in the evening.

Snowfall is expected at night in mountainous areas located 900 metres above sea level, according to the JMD.

Temperatures in the capital will reach a high of  9°C during the day, dropping to a low of 3°C at night, while winds will be southwesterly brisk with strong gusts at times.

The cold air mass and depression will continue affecting the country on Thursday, when the weather will be cold, cloudy and rainy, with snowfall forecast in hilly areas during the day.

Winds will be westerly to southwesterly brisk, while temperatures in Amman will range between 7°C and 3°C.

The JMD’s warnings for Wednesday and Thursday include possible flood formation in valleys and low-lying areas, strong gusty winds, slippery roads, low visibility due to low-altitude clouds in the northern and central regions, and poor visibility due to dust in the southern and eastern regions.

On Friday, it will be cold and cloudy to partly cloudy with scattered showers, and temperatures in the capital will be the same as Thursday, according to the JMD.

Winds will be westerly to northwesterly moderate to brisk, with light snow expected over the southern heights.

The department warned of possible flood formation in valleys and low-lying areas, poor visibility due to low-altitude clouds and fog, and icy roads on Friday night.