JMD launches weather forecast mobile app

AMMAN — The Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) has launched a mobile application providing users of smartphones with a four-day forecast and up-to-date weather-related warnings, among other atmospheric data.

The application, called “JMDWeather”, seeks to provide accurate weather forecast for all of the country’s governorates, as well as live details on temperature, wind speed and direction, and humidity levels, among other information, according to a weather forecaster at the JMD.

“The application provides users with four-day weather forecast, temperatures and any urgent weather-related warnings. The application also covers the weather conditions in the country’s tourist locations,” meteorologist Raed Rafed told The Jordan Times.

Weather forecast for all of the governorates are provided to the users via “an interactive map”, the department official said, noting that the application offers detailed forecast for the current day and the next three days when clicking on a given city, in addition to maximum and minimum temperatures.

JMDWeather, which is currently available in Arabic, while the English version is expected to be released soon, also provides aerial weather images, information on the JMD and data on the user’s live location.

“The option on the user’s location is the highlight of this new application as it identifies the user’s live altitude above sea level; a detail that is very much sought after by people during winter, when snow fall is expected,” Rafed said.

As the department specifies on which altitudes snow is expected to fall, it usually receives several calls from people inquiring about the altitude of the area where they live in regard to sea level, the official added.

Since the department experimentally launched the application last week, some 500 users have downloaded the app.

On the department’s Facebook page, social media users have welcomed the release of the JMDWeather app, saying that it is a useful tool to receive trusted and accurate weather forecast and warnings.

Raed Abu Saadeh commented on the department’s Facebook page,  saying “great step, well done and good luck”.