Heavy rain expected as of Saturday — JMD

AMMAN — Heavy rain is forecast for next week, when a relatively cold and wet air mass will prevail, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Thursday.

A tangible drop in temperatures is forecast for Saturday when the impact of the relatively cold air mass will begin, JMD weather forecaster Laila Shaheen said, noting that temperatures will drop below the annual average of 18ºC for this time of the year.

Temperatures on Saturday will drop nine degrees compared to Friday, when the weather will be sunny and warm, according to the JMD, which said that Saturday's weather will be cloudy and relatively cold.

"Heavy rain is expected for Saturday as well as thunder, lightning and hail. People are advised to avoid low-lying areas and valleys for fears of possible flood formation," Shaheen told The Jordan Times.

She added that in desert areas, low road visibility is expected due to southwesterly moderate to brisk winds.

Temperatures on Saturday will be 16ºC during the day, dropping to 11ºC at night in Amman.

Another slight drop in mercury levels is forecast for Sunday, according to Shaheen, who warned of possible flood formations in low-lying areas as well as low road visibility due to low-altitude clouds and sand-raising brisk winds.

"Cloudy, rainy and relatively cold weather is still expected on Sunday as the relatively cold air mass continues affecting the country. Heavy rainfall at times is also expected," the forecaster highlighted.

Daytime temperatures will be 15ºC, dropping to a minimum of 9ºC in the capital, while winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk, with gusts at times, according to the JMD.

"The relatively cold air mass is expected to continue prevailing on Monday, but its impact will be weaker and rainfall will be less," Shaheen said.

The JMD added that although winter ended in the northern hemisphere, sufficient rain is still expected until May.

With the start of spring, the Kingdom’s 10 major dams now hold 60 per cent of their total capacity of 325 million cubic metres (mcm) of water.

The dams now hold 197mcm of water, down by 13mcm compared to last year, according to recent figures from the Jordan Valley Authority.

Last year, the 10 major dams received 65 per cent of their total capacity, recording the highest percentage in a decade.