Jordan braces for cold weather, heavy rain on Saturday

• A cold and moist air mass centered over Cyprus is expected to reach Jordan on Saturday, bringing a significant drop in temperatures and widespread rainfall across the northern and central regions.
• Weather officials warn of heavy rain, potential thunderstorms, and high winds reaching up to 60 km/h, which may trigger dust storms in the eastern and southern Badia regions through Sunday.

Weather conditions across the kingdom are expected to turn increasingly cold and unsettled starting Friday night as a low-pressure system moves in from the eastern Mediterranean, according to the latest forecasts by the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

While Friday will remain relatively cold in most regions and mild in the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Aqaba, a transition is expected during the late-night hours. Low-altitude clouds will increase, bringing a chance of light, scattered showers to limited parts of northern Jordan. Temperatures in Amman are forecast to reach a high of 13°C (55°F) on Friday before dropping to a chilly 4°C (39°F) overnight.

Arrival of the Cold Front

Starting Saturday, the kingdom will be affected by a cold and moist air mass associated with a low-pressure system centered over Cyprus. This system will trigger a noticeable decline in temperatures, with Amman seeing highs of 11°C (52°F) and lows near 5°C (41°F).

The weather will turn cloudy as a rainy front crosses the country. Rainfall is expected to begin in the northern and central regions before extending to parts of the southwestern and eastern areas.

By Saturday night, meteorologists predict periods of heavy rain in the north and center, potentially accompanied by thunder. Moderate to brisk southwest winds are expected to stir up dust in the desert (Badia) regions.

Intensifying Winds and Heavy Rain

The influence of the polar-origin air mass will persist into Sunday, with temperatures sliding further to a daytime high of 10°C (50°F). The forecast remains cold, cloudy, and rainy across much of the country, including the northern, central, and parts of the southern and eastern districts.

Authorities have highlighted the potential for heavy downpours and thunderstorms on Sunday. Additionally, southwest winds are expected to intensify significantly, with gusts reaching between 50 and 60 km/h (31 to 37 mph). These winds are likely to cause visibility issues due to dust in the Badia regions. The intensity of the rainfall is expected to gradually weaken by Sunday night.