‘Wind, rain hit Kingdom, but showers bode well for agriculture’

AMMAN — Jordan on Wednesday was affected by unstable weather conditions, forecast to last until Friday, that saw heavy showers throughout the Kingdom, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, quoted the Jordan Metrological Department (JMD) as saying Wednesday. 

Governorates that saw heavy showers and hail included Aqaba, Tafileh and Maan, Petra reported, quoting Education Ministry Spokesperson Walid Jallad as saying that schools in Aqaba, Maan and the Southern Badia suspended classes because of the weather. 

Maan Civil Defence Department Director Lt. Col. Salem Sarayrah said the department’s personnel supported teams from Maan Municipality to pump water out of streets, while the governorate’s education director, Yousef Moamar, announced the cancellation of school classes for the day. 

Tafileh and Aqaba also saw heavy rain and their governors, Mufid Ananbeh and Hakem Mahamid, announced that operations rooms in the two southern governorates were receiving reports from the public, with all the concerned authorities working to resolve any issues

Schools were given the day off to keep students and teachers safe, the governors said, according to Petra.

In Southern Mazar, Agricultural Director Mohammad Hajaya said that rain at this time of year improves the agricultural season and the growth of summer plants. 

Southern Mazar District Director Hamad Karazneh urged animal breeders and citizens living in tents to avoid valleys and low-lying areas, and to move to safer areas. 

On Thursday the weather is forecast to be relatively cold, with a chance of light rain in the northern and central regions of the Kingdom, with brisk westerly to northwesterly winds, the JMD said. 

On Friday, the weather is expected to be relatively cold, with a chance of light showers, improving gradually during Friday evening, with moderate to brisk, westerly to southwesterly winds.

Frost formation forecast overnight in mountainous areas, valleys and the badia. 

Temperatures in Amman on Thursday will range from a high of 15°C to a low of 3°C. 

On Friday, they are expected to range from a high of 13°C to a low of 2°C, according to the JMD.