Weather agency ‘rivalry’ makes rich material for social media zingers

AMMAN – Different weather forecasts by two meteorology agencies on whether the polar front affecting the Kingdom this week would bring heavy snow or not, created waves of sarcasm across the social media sphere in Jordan. 

Some Facebook and Twitter users described the relatively varying forecasts by the state-run Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) and the privately-owned Arabiaweather.com as a head-to-head competition, and that the winner would be revealed Sunday. 

The JMD said on Wednesday that the depression and the cold polar front will be strong and bring accumulating snow to mountainous areas, including the capital. But Arabiaweather.com announced the depression would be weaker. 

Social media users likened the “challenge” to a football game. 

“JMD has challenged Arabiaweather and the latter has accepted the challenge,” Amer Hanandeh wrote on his Facebook page, adding that it seems the two agencies are only focusing on proving who would be victorious.  

Sunday’s “final match” will be between the JMD and Arabiaweather.com, Hamdan Ayesh joked on Facebook. 

Laith Khawaldeh joined in on the sarcasm.

“Dear fans, whether you support JMD or Arabiaweather, please don’t allow the weather to cause division between us,” Khawaldeh wrote on Facebook. 

On her Twitter account, Mai Weshah (‏@Mai_AlWeshah) wrote: “Sorry JMD and Arabiaweather, but I’m going to believe my mother because when she says there will be snow, it means there will be snow.” 

Rabea Hamdan (@RabeaHamdan) said both agencies not only caused confusion among Jordanians but also affected the depression itself. 

“The depression is now confused whether to affect the Kingdom or not,” Hamdan joked. 

Ziad Ababneh (@ZiadAbabneh) said the important question that should be asked is should people trust weather forecasts — whether prepared by a professional agency or amateur meteorologists? 

Other Facebook users posted a doctored picture of the logo of the popular TV talent show “The Voice” making it looks like a logo for the competition between the two meteorology agencies. 

“Tonight is the finale. Vote for your favourite weather forecaster,” Laith  Weshah wrote on top of the doctored picture.