Heavy rain, snow expected next week

AMMAN — A very cold air mass and a depression forecast to bring heavy rain and snow to high altitudes are approaching the country, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Wednesday. 

The expected weather conditions, due to the depression centred over Cyprus, are forecast to take effect next Wednesday, February 11, JMD Director General Mohammad Samawi said.

“A tangible drop in temperatures is forecast starting Wednesday, when humidity levels will increase and the weather will become very cold and cloudy,” he told The Jordan Times.

Rain and thunderstorms, and “possible snow over mountainous areas” will start in the northern and central areas of the country and gradually extend to the rest of the Kingdom, according to Samawi, who noted that winds will be westerly brisk with strong gusts at times.

The JMD issued warnings to the public of possible flood formation in valleys and low-lying areas, strong gusty winds and slippery roads.

Underscoring that the weather forecast for February 10 and 11 is 70 per cent accurate, the department urged government agencies to start taking precautionary measures starting February 10.

In addition, the JMD called on the public to follow its daily weather forecasts.

Meanwhile, the country will remain under the impact of an upper trough that will push temperatures 6-7°C above their annual average of 13°C during this time of the year, until Saturday, according to the JMD. 

Starting Sunday, temperatures will start dropping back to their annual average, with scattered showers expected in the morning in the northern and central regions of the country.

On Monday and Tuesday (February 9 and 10), temperatures will reach a high of 13°C during the day and the weather will be relatively cold and partly cloudy.