'Sunny, pleasant' weather forecast for weekend

AMMAN — Spring-like weather is expected for the weekend as a warm air mass affecting the country will push temperatures well above their annual average for this time of the year, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

The warm air mass, brought by southeasterly winds, started affecting the country on Wednesday and is expected to prevail until next week, said a JMD meteorologist, who preferred to remain unnamed. 

"The weather during the weekend will be sunny and pleasant. Temperatures will be 5^oC to 7^oC above their annual average of 15ºC for this time of the year," the weather forecaster added on Thursday.

It will be warm on Friday and temperatures will range between a high of 22ºC and a low of 9ºC in Amman, while winds will be southeasterly moderate to brisk at times, the forecaster said, noting that light night showers are forecast in the eastern region.

More sunny and fair weather is forecast for Saturday, when temperatures will be 21ºC during the day and 8ºC at night-time in the capital, while winds will remain southeasterly, turning to northwesterly in the afternoon.

A slight rise in mercury levels is forecast for Sunday, when temperatures will be 22ºC during the day and 9ºC at night in the capital, according to the JMD, which said that winds will be easterly moderate.

As the weather warms up, more people head to picnicking locations, said the Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson, Nimer Haddadin, calling on those enjoying the warm weather to safeguard the country's nature.

"People are urged to avoid littering in forests and picnicking sites and to pick their trash when leaving. We are also calling on people to avoid lighting fires in forests to prevent wildfires," Haddadin told The Jordan Times.

The Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) recently banned argileh (water pipe) and barbeques at the King Abdullah Parks, which receives 15,000 visitors on weekends, according to its media centre.

The step seeks to preserve the parks' facilities and provide a safe picnicking environment for their visitors, GAM said.