Jordan records highest temperatures in over century

The Jordan Meteorological Department announced Sunday that June has shattered all previous temperature records for the month, marking the highest temperatures in the kingdom in over a century.

Raed Rafiad Al-Khatib, Director of the Meteorological Department, stated that temperatures in June have consistently been 3-10 degrees Celsius above the daily average.

This is due to the prolonged impact of hot and dry air masses associated with the seasonal thermal low, leading to a significant rise in temperatures and persistent hot and dry conditions over the highlands and plains, including the capital, Amman.

Some days saw extremely high temperatures, while the Badia, Jordan Valley, and Aqaba regions experienced very hot weather throughout most of the month.

Jordan experienced two heatwaves in June 2024: the first from June 2-8, lasting seven days, and the second from June 12-20, lasting nine days, making it the longest heatwave in June on record. Last year, the longest heatwave occurred in August, lasting 13 days from August 12-24.

Al-Khatib noted that the highest temperature recorded at Amman Civil Airport (Marka airport) this June was 40.8°C on June 15, setting a new record for the month. Queen Alia International Airport in Amman recorded a peak temperature of 41.5°C on June 14.

Nationwide, the highest temperature was recorded at King Hussein International Airport in Aqaba, reaching 47.8°C on June 14, setting a new national record for June.

The average maximum temperature at Amman Civil Airport in June was 36.2°C, the highest monthly average for June in over 100 years, exceeding the long-term average by 5°C.

Al-Khatib also reported that most nights in June 2024 saw minimum temperatures 2-10 degrees Celsius above the daily average. The average minimum temperature at Amman Civil Airport was 23.2°C, 4.5°C higher than the long-term average, surpassing the previous record of 20.9°C set in 2016.

Records from the National Climate Data Bank, which spans over 100 years, show that the average maximum temperature at Amman Civil Airport in June 2024 exceeded the previous record of 33.7°C set in June 2012 by 2.5°C. The June 2024 monthly average also matched the records for July and August.

Seasonal model forecasts from several global centers, which are used by the Meteorological Department, indicate that temperatures in July, August, and September are expected to be 1.0-1.5 degrees Celsius above the long-term averages, with a probability exceeding 90%.