Heavy snowfall expected Friday; polar front impact to taper off Saturday

AMMAN — The country will remain under the impact of a polar front and depression on Friday, with heavy snowfall expected, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Thursday.

The very cold polar front and depression, which is centred east over Cyprus, started affecting the country on Wednesday night, and another, even colder front was expected to take effect on Thursday night, according to the JMD.

Very cold weather with thunderstorms and rain are forecast on Friday, when snowfall is also expected in areas 600 metres above sea level and higher, JMD meteorologist Laila Shaheen told The Jordan Times.

“We expect snowfall on Friday to be heavy at times, especially in the southern mountainous areas,” Shaheen said.

Temperatures in Amman will be 2°C during the day, dropping to 1°C at night and winds will be westerly to northwesterly brisk with gusts at times, she added.

The impact of the polar front and depression will start to subside by Saturday, according to Shaheen, who underscored that the weather will remain very cold with scattered showers.

“Snowfall is expected in mountainous areas higher than 1,200 metres above sea level on Saturday,” she noted.

Mercury levels in the capital will range between a high of 5°C and a low of 0°C and winds will be northwesterly moderate turning at night to southwesterly light, according to the JMD.

“Starting Saturday night, icy roads and a strong frost spell are expected to prevail. The frost will also include the Jordan Valley’s northern and central areas,” Shaheen highlighted.

Cold weather is forecast for Sunday, as well as icy roads and frost, according to the JMD.

Temperatures in Amman will reach a maximum of 7°C during the day and drop to a minimum of -2°C at night, while winds will be southeasterly light, the department said.

In a related development, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) announced a state of maximum alert on Thursday in preparation for the blizzard.

GAM Spokesperson Baker Abbadi urged the public to adhere to safety instructions during the blizzard and to avoid venturing out unless for emergencies.

“It is also imperative for motorists to avoid parking their cars on the sides of main roads so GAM vehicles can clear snow efficiently,” Abbadi underscored.

He noted that GAM completed its inspection of the city’s infrastructure, tunnels, bridges and manholes, and has also distributed salt to several directorates to be spread on icy roads.