Country braces for snow, sub-zero temperatures

AMMAN — The country will be affected on Tuesday by a very cold polar front accompanied by a depression, expected to bring snow and sub-zero temperatures, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Monday.

The combined weather conditions are forecast to peak late Wednesday and Thursday, when temperatures will plunge 10 to 13 degrees below their annual average of 13°C during this time of year and bring accumulative snow to different areas in the country, including the capital, according to JMD.

On Tuesday, the weather will be cold and partly cloudy in the northern and central regions and dusty in the south and east, JMD said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times, noting that temperatures will start to drop as the impact of the combined weather conditions gradually take hold.

Clouds will start forming in the northern and central regions, and rain is expected in the central region in the evening, JMD statement said.

On Tuesday night, the weather will be very cold with heavy rain, thunder and hail expected, especially in the north, while mountainous areas located 1,000 metres above sea level and higher will receive snow.

Winds will be southwesterly brisk turning to westerly brisk with strong gusts in the afternoon, and temperatures in the capital will range between 8°C during the day and 4°C at night, JMD said.

A sharp drop in mercury levels is expected on Wednesday as the impact of the combined weather conditions deepens, the JMD said, adding that the weather will be very cold, cloudy and rainy in the north and centre of the country, while the southern and eastern regions will start receiving rain later in the day.

Snowfall is expected in areas with altitudes of 700 metres above sea level and higher, while winds will be southwesterly to westerly brisk and gusty.

Temperatures in Amman will reach a high of 2°C and drop to a low of -2°C.

The impact of the cold air mass and depression is expected to continue on Thursday, when the weather will be very cold and cloudy to partly cloudy, with snow forecast in hilly areas located 700 metres above sea level and higher.

Daytime temperatures in the capital will reach a maximum of 2°C, falling to as low as -3°C overnight, according to the JMD.

The polar front and the depression will continue to affect the country on Friday, with snowfall forecast in high-altitude areas.

Heavy rain, thunder and hail are also expected on Friday, while temperatures will continue their downward trend, ranging between a high of -1°C and a low of -4°C in Amman, while winds will be northwesterly brisk.

JMD warned of flying objects due to strong winds, slippery roads, flood formation in valleys and low-lying areas as well as low road-visibility as a result of low-altitude clouds and sand-raising winds in the badia.

In light of the severe weather forecast, Royal Jordanian (RJ) on Monday said it will notify passengers of any changes in its flight schedules via text messages to the mobile numbers listed in ticket reservations.

RJ Media Office Director Basel Kilani said the airline has prepared an emergency plan to deal with the expected weather conditions.

The flight schedule has not changed, Kilani said, noting that notifications of any changes will also be available on RJ’s website (rj.com) and call centre.

“There are several channels to communicate with passengers without them having to come to the airport,” Kilani told The Jordan Times over the phone.

In a statement issued Monday, RJ said its emergency committee held a meeting on Sunday, chaired by acting President/CEO Captain Haitham Misto, to discuss “readiness to deal with the exceptional weather conditions” forecast during the next few days.

Misto called on all concerned sectors to be prepared to deal with the expected weather conditions by ensuring the efficient operation of the flight schedule and providing services to passengers, including facilitating dropping them off and picking them up at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA).

QAIA operator Airport International Group (AIG) said on Monday that it has activated a snow plan in preparation for the upcoming snowstorm.

“AIG has set on standby a fleet of sweepers, vehicles outfitted with snowploughs and blades, in addition to a deicing/anti-icing spreader,” the Jordanian company said in a statement. 

Urging passengers to exercise caution when travelling to QAIA, AIG also advised them “to arrive at least three hours prior to their flights to avoid delays resulting from traffic congestion, and to check for schedule updates by contacting their airlines or by calling QAIA at 06-4010250”.  

Meanwhile, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) said in a statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times that it will upgrade emergency levels in accordance with weather developments, noting that it has distributed 150 tonnes of salt to vital traffic points in Amman to deal with icy roads.

GAM called on the public to call 06/5359970, 06/5359971 or 0798166789 in case of emergencies.

In addition, local authorities around Jordan — including in Jerash, Ajloun and Petra — are prepared to deal with emergency situations during the expected snowstorm, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported on Monday.