'Picnicking weather forecast for weekend'

AMMAN —  The weather over the weekend is forecast to be fair, stable and sunny, making it suitable for picnicking in many areas across the Kingdom, a meteorologist said Thursday.

"The Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, Aqaba, Um Qais and Jerash areas will be good for going on picnics on the weekend, especially that wind will be moderate and no dust is forecast," head of the Jordan Meteorological Department's (JMD) weather forecast section, Raed Rafed, highlighted.

But he warned that the weather in hilly areas, such as Ajloun, where it is expected to be fair at noon, may turn into rather cold starting from the afternoon.

Temperatures in east Amman on Friday will range between a high of 22°C and a low of 10°C, while the western parts of the capital are expected to witness a high of 20°C, dropping to 8°C, Rafed said.

Mercury levels in Aqaba are expected to range between 29°C during the day and 18°C at night.

On Saturday, temperatures are forecast to rise by four to five degrees above their annual average, the meteorologist said, adding that it will be warm in most parts of the Kingdom and warmer in the Jordan Valley, with southeasterly moderate winds.

"Daytime temperatures in the eastern parts of the capital will register 25°C, dropping to 12°C, while in west Amman, they will range between 23°C during the day and 10°C at night," Rafed told The Jordan Times in a phone interview.

Temperatures in Aqaba will range between a high of 32°C during the day, which will drop to a low of 20°C at night, he added.

"Weather on Sunday will remain warm in most areas in the Kingdom... with southeasterly to southwesterly moderate winds," the forecaster added.

Mercury levels in Amman's western neighbourhoods will range between a high of 24°C and a low of 11°C, while the eastern parts of the capital are expected to register 26°C during the day and 13°C at night, the meteorologist said.

Temperatures in Aqaba will range between a high of 33°C and a low of 21°C, according to Rafed.