Will Jordan and Arab World see rain this weekend?
As residents of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Arab region, anticipate cooler temperatures and the start of the rainy season at the end of October, weather maps indicate an unusual shift in expected climate patterns.
Stable Skies Across the Region
According to the regional ArabiaWeather website, analyses of atmospheric maps on Thursday show that several high-pressure systems in the upper atmosphere are expected to dominate large areas of the Arab world by the end of the week.
This dominance will result in near-total atmospheric stability, considered unusual for this time of year, which normally marks the beginning of active Mediterranean low-pressure systems.
High-Pressure “Barrier” Preventing Rain
Meteorologists explain that the upper-level high-pressure system acts as a “dome” or “barrier”, preventing cold air masses or European low-pressure systems from reaching the region. These systems are forced to divert northward or weaken before arrival.
The high-pressure system also causes descending air currents, which warm the air and inhibit cloud formation, leading to mostly clear and sunny conditions across the majority of countries.
Very Limited Rainfall, With Sudan as the Exception
As a result, rainfall chances remain extremely limited, confined to very narrow geographic areas and not forming any widespread weather events. Limited showers may occur along the northeast coast of Algeria, northern Tunisia, parts of Syria’s Latakia coast, western Yemen highlands, and some southwestern Saudi regions, mainly due to local topography and Mediterranean humidity.
The main exception is Sudan, which continues to experience seasonal rains influenced by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). Showers there may be heavy and thundery in some areas, increasing the risk of flooding and flowing wadis.
Regional Weather Highlights
North Africa (Maghreb, Libya, Egypt): Temperatures are unusually warm for late October, reaching 30°C in many inland and coastal cities, creating a late-summer feel. Nights are mild along the coasts but cold in mountainous areas, such as the Atlas Mountains and northern Libya, as well as Sinai highlands.
Levant (Jordan, Palestine, Syria, Lebanon): The region experiences moderate autumn weather, with daytime temperatures in the 20s°C. Nights are colder, especially in mountainous and eastern plains, delaying the start of the rainy season.
Gulf Countries (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait): Weather remains stable and relatively hot during the day, particularly in interior and desert areas. Nights are gradually becoming milder, especially in northern and western Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and the UAE. No rainfall is expected over the weekend.
Overall, the Arab region will experience unusually stable and mostly sunny weather, with limited rainfall and temperatures warmer than normal in many areas, due to the prevailing high-pressure systems.
