Weekend rainfall expected to wash away dust

AMMAN — Strong winds will continue affecting the Kingdom until noon on Thursday, with rainfall expected in different parts of the country that will contribute to reducing the dust in the air, a Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) official said Wednesday.

It will be relatively cold and partly cloudy on Thursday, with rainfall, which could be accompanied by thunder and lightning, especially in the central and northern regions, JMD Director General Mohammad Samawi told The Jordan Times.

"Rain will start in the southern areas of the country and gradually extend to the central and northern regions," Samawi said. 

Temperatures in the capital will range between a high of 17°C during the day and a low of 9°C overnight, according to a JMD statement. 

"Light showers are forecast for Friday morning, especially in northern region, with northwesterly moderate winds," he added.

Mercury levels in Amman on Friday are forecast to reach a maximum of 18°C and drop to a minimum of 10°C, the JMD statement said. 

The weather will stabilise on Saturday, Samawi said, with partly cloudy to cloudy weather expected and a chance of showers, mainly in central, northern and some southwesterly areas of the Kingdom. 

A high temperature of 18°C is expected for Saturday and a low of 10°C at night in Amman, the statement showed.

Dust haze

The JMD director general noted that dust covered most parts of the Kingdom on Tuesday and Wednesday, with visibility in some areas not exceeding 100 metres. 

Although a dust haze covered several areas, aviation movement at Queen Alia International Airport (QAIA) was proceeding as scheduled on Wednesday.

"Flight movements at the airport are normal and until 4pm there were no diversions or delays for flights landing or taking off from the airport," Zahiah Naasan, corporate communications director at QAIA, told The Jordan Times.

The Health Ministry on Wednesday warned against the dangers posed by the prevailing weather conditions and dust, especially for the elderly, children, and those diagnosed with allergic and respiratory diseases, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Noting that the dust storm has "very bad" effects on health, particularly of smokers, and allergy and asthma patients, as it has a negative impact on the lungs, the ministry called on citizens to cover their noses and mouths.

In related news, Minister of State for Media Affairs and Communications and Acting Minister of Education Mohammad Momani on Wednesday authorised education directors to suspend classes on Thursday, especially in schools located in areas with severe dust storms that could hinder traffic movement, according to Petra.

Later on Wednesday, the education directorates in Wadi Araba, Um Rassas and Amiriyeh announced that schools would be closed on Thursday.