Further drop in temperatures forecast for today as heavy rainfall moves in

AMMAN — Temperatures are expected to drop further today, with very cold, cloudy and rainy conditions forecast for most parts of the Kingdom, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Wednesday. 

Rainfall is expected to be heavy and accompanied by thunder and hail in some areas, which may lead to flooding in valleys and low-lying areas, including Aqaba, the JMD said.

In the afternoon, snow is expected to fall in areas located 1,000m above sea level. Winds will be westerly and brisk, sometimes reaching 70-80 kilometres per hour and likely raising dust in desert areas, according to a JMD statement.

A slight rise in temperatures in expected on Friday with very cold and partly to fully cloudy skies, the department said. Scattered showers should persist, mainly in the western parts of the Kingdom and areas 1,000m above sea level may continue to see snow.

Temperatures on Thursday will range between a maximum of 7°C and a minimum of 2°C in the capital, according to the JMD, which added that mercury levels on Friday will range between a high of 9°C and low of 4°C.

Due to the expected conditions, the JMD issued several weather-related warnings on Wednesday. It urged the public to exercise extreme caution, as heavy rain may cause the formation of flashfloods in low-lying areas.

In addition, the department warned people of low visibility on roads, especially in the desert areas, due to strong, sand-raising winds. The JMD also called on people to clear their yards and rooftops of objects that could be blown away and warned motorists to expect slippery roads and poor road visibility due to fog.

In light of the forecasted conditions, Education Minister Walid Maani told education directors to delay or announce days off, depending on the weather in their respective areas, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The Greater Amman Municipality on Wednesday also announced a state of medium alert.

The municipality urged the public to call its main emergency rooms for any weather-related emergency at 06/5359970, 06/5359971 or 0798166789, according to Petra.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Supply announced that foodstuff, bread and fuel derivatives are available during the prevailing weather conditions.

Ministry Spokesperson Yanal Barmawi was quoted by Petra as saying that the ministry, in cooperation and coordination with stakeholders from the public and private sectors, was counting their inventory of these items in each governorate to ensure they had sufficient amounts.