Temperatures to soar 8 degrees above average as heatwave continues

AMMAN — Temperatures on Sunday will be eight degrees above their annual average of 32°C as the impact of a very hot air mass is forecast to continue during this week, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said Saturday.

As mercury levels in Amman will soar to 40°C and higher in Aqaba and the Jordan Valley, authorities advised people against direct exposure to sunlight during the hottest part of the day between 12pm and 3pm in order to avoid sunstroke and heat exhaustion.

The very hot air mass, which is accompanied by a seasonal depression originating from the Indian subcontinent, started affecting the country on Saturday and is expected to peak on Sunday, JMD Director General Mohammad Samawi said.

“The weather on Sunday will be very hot and dry across the country as the hot air mass deepens. There is a slight chance for scattered showers on Sunday in the eastern and southeastern parts of the country,” Samawi told The Jordan Times.

Winds will be southeasterly moderate, turning to northwesterly brisk, according to the JMD director, who said that temperatures on Sunday will be 40°C during the day and 25°C at nighttime in Amman.

“Similar very hot weather is expected to continue until Thursday at least, in addition to chances of scattered showers in the eastern region on Monday and Tuesday,” Samawi noted.

He added that the scattered showers during this week are caused by unstable weather conditions.

“It is not clear yet when the heatwave is expected to subside,” Samawi said.

The JMD announces a heatwave when temperatures rise five degrees above their annual average for a period of more than three days.

In previous remarks to The Jordan Times, Samawi underscored that the intensity of hot spells depends on the route of air masses, explaining that strong heatwaves that push temperatures well above their annual averages usually come from the northeastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula, originating from India.

The meteorologist said the capital witnessed 61 heatwaves over the past 92 years, with the longest hot spell, which lasted for six days, occurring in July 1978.

Before the latest heatwave in July, the Kingdom was last affected by a heatwave on June 27 last year, which lasted for four days, while the highest temperature ever recorded by the JMD in Amman was 43.5ºC in July 2000 and in August 2010, according to department data.

Nationwide, the highest temperature ever recorded in mountainous areas was in Salt in August 2010, when it reached 41.6ºC, while the highest temperature in the badia and eastern plains was registered in July 2010 when it reached 47.2ºC.

Samawi said the department issued instructions for people to follow during the heatwave.

“We urge the public to mainly avoid direct sun exposure, ventilate their houses especially those with large windows. In addition, motorists are advised to park their vehicles in shaded spots and not to leave children in unventilated cars,” he said.

People are also advised to drink four litres of fluids, while farmers are urged to water their crops during the night or early in the morning.

In Aqaba, south of the country, temperatures are set to rise to 44°C on Sunday, according to the JMD.

“During hot weather, we urge people to avoid going out during noon,” Aqaba Governor Fawaz Irsheidat told The Jordan Times, noting that the governorate’s residents are accustomed to high temperatures during summer.

In the capital, Amman Mayor Aqel Biltaji on Saturday ordered a number of procedures to organise work during the heatwave, according to a Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times. 

Sanitation, park and field workers are required to wear protective head covers and avoid working during peak hours. 

GAM drivers will also be working early in the morning before the hottest part of the day and late at night, avoiding work during noon.

The Civil Defence Department (CDD) said children and the elderly, especially those diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension, are most vulnerable to direct sun exposure, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The CDD also called for taking precautions to prevent forest and farmland fires, urging the public to call 911 in case of emergency.

Heatstroke 

Symptoms include:

High body temperature: A body temperature of 40°C or higher

Altered mental state or behaviour: Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, irritability, delirium, seizures and coma

Alteration in sweating: Your skin will feel hot and dry to the touch

Nausea and vomiting: You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit

Flushed skin: Your skin may turn red as your body temperature increases

Rapid breathing: Your breathing may become rapid and shallow

Racing heart rate: Your pulse may significantly increase as the heat places a tremendous burden on your heart to help cool your body

Headache: Your head may throb

Treatment

•   Take immediate action to cool the overheated person while waiting for emergency treatment.

•   Get the person into shade or indoors.

•   Remove excess clothing.

•   Cool the person with whatever means available — put in a cool tub of water or a cool shower, spray with a garden hose, sponge with cool water, fan while misting with cool water, or place ice packs or cold, wet towels on the person’s head, neck, armpits and groin.

Source: Mayo Clinic’s website (www.mayoclinic.org)