Khamsini depression to take effect Wednesday — meteorologist

AMMAN — The country will be affected on Wednesday by the season’s first khamsini depression, during which dry, hot and dusty weather is forecast to prevail, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Monday.

The khamsini depression is expected to be followed on Friday by a cold air mass and a depression which will bring rain and below average temperatures, according to the JMD.

Warm spring weather is forecast for Tuesday, when temperatures will be 26°C during the day and 14°C at night in Amman.

A rise in temperatures is expected on Wednesday, when mercury levels will be seven to nine degrees above their annual average during this time of year of 21°C, the JMD said.

“As of Wednesday evening, the country will be affected by a khamsini depression, which will bring dusty weather,” meteorologist Laila Shaheen told The Jordan Times.

The name is derived from khamsin — meaning 50 in Arabic — because it usually occurs during a 50-day time frame, from March 21 through May 10. Khamsini weather conditions affect the eastern part of the Mediterranean an average of once a week during this period, according to the JMD.

The hot, sand-laden winds, originating from the Atlas Mountains in north Africa, annually move east of the Mediterranean Sea around this time of year and are usually preceded by unseasonably high temperatures, and dry and dusty conditions.

Temperatures on Wednesday will be 30°C during the day and 14°C at night in Amman, while winds will be southwesterly moderate, turning to brisk in the afternoon.

Dusty, warm and dry weather is forecast for Thursday, when winds will be southwesterly brisk, raising dust. Temperatures will be 27°C during the day and 9°C at night in Amman, the JMD said.

A drastic drop in temperatures is forecast for Friday, when the country will be affected by a cold air mass and a depression, to be centred over Cyprus.

Temperatures on Friday will drop by ten degrees, according to the JMD, which said that light rain is forecast, while mercury levels will be 17°C during the day.