JMD sounds caution on heatwave

AMMAN — As a heatwave is expected to grip much of the Kingdom on Wednesday, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) on Tuesday urged the public to take precautionary measures and avoid spending extended time in the sun. 

The weather will be hot in most areas around the Kingdom, and very hot in the Jordan Valley and Aqaba with north-westerly moderate winds, according to the JMD.

Today in Amman, it will be 36°C during the day and 24°C at night, Irbid will see a high of 34°C and a low of 23 °C while in Zarqa temperatures will reach a maximum of 39°C and a minimum of 27°C. Mercury levels in Mafraq will reach 35°C during the day and 20°C overnight, in Jerash temperatures will hover between 34°C during daytime and 23°C at night. 

In light of the warning, dietician Alaa Zaidan said that the best thing people can do to cope with the heat is to stay hydrated, and eat vegetables with high water content, like cucumbers. 

She warned against eating fried and salty foods as they cause fluid retention, stressing that sugary drinks are not a replacement for water, as they could cause dehydration. 

The JMD also posted a video on its Facebook page, issuing an advisory for farmers. 

In the video, the JMD says that the two days are good for summer grafting and cultivating of trees that bore fruit. 

People who have houseplants are told to spray them with water several times a day, especially in the next two days.