Heatwave to continue affecting Jordan as Ramadan starts — JMD

AMMAN — The Kingdom will remain under the impact of a heatwave on Sunday that brought hot and dry weather and pushed temperatures six degrees above the annual average, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

The heatwave, which started affecting the country on Friday, peaked on Saturday, when temperatures reached a maximum of 44°C in Aqaba, 43°C in the Jordan Valley and 38°C in the capital, Hussain Momani, director of the JMD’s National Weather Forecast Centre, told The Jordan Times.

“The impact of the heatwave is expected to prevail until Monday. Temperatures will remain higher than the annual average and hot and dry winds will continue,” Momani said.

The hot spell, which is caused by a hot and dry air mass originating from the Arabian Peninsula, will gradually start abating on Tuesday, he added.

The JMD announces a heatwave when temperatures soar above their annual average by five degrees for a period of more than three days.

“The average temperature in Amman during this time of the year is 32°C. This week, temperatures will be above the annual average even after the heatwave subsides,” Momani noted.

The JMD warned the public against exposure to the sun during the heatwave.

“We urge people to avoid exposure to sunlight, especially around noon, to avoid sun stroke,” Momani noted.

With Ramadan starting on Sunday, fasting during the hot weather was the talk of many Jordanians over the past few days as the heatwave started to affect the country. 

Electrician Ibrahim Khatib said he would carry out his work at night, after iftar, when Muslims break their Ramadan fast, which starts at dawn and ends after sunset. 

With Ramadan falling during summer this year, Muslims in Jordan will be abstaining from food and drink for around 16 hours.

"I cannot function properly while fasting in hot weather," Khatib told The Jordan Times, noting that he has informed his clients of the decision. 

Raad Abu Qura, a blacksmith based in Amman, is also planning to work at night during the holy month. 

"I expect temperatures to remain high during this Ramadan," he said. 

On Sunday, hot and dry weather is forecast across the country, with temperatures in the capital reaching a maximum of 37°C during the day and dropping to a minimum of 25°C at night. 

Other areas will be even hotter with highs of 39°C in the badia, 42°C in the Jordan Valley and 43°C in Aqaba.

A slight drop in temperatures is forecast for Monday, but the weather will remain hot and dry.

Mercury levels will range between a maximum of 37°C and a minimum of 24°C in the capital, while temperatures in the badia, the Jordan Valley and Aqaba will reach highs of 38°C, 40°C and 41°C respectively, according to Momani.

A further drop in temperatures is expected on Tuesday, when the heatwave will gradually start to ease off, he noted.

Maximum temperatures will be 34°C in Amman, 38°C in the Jordan Valley, 36°C in the badia and 39°C in Aqaba, Momani said.

“This is the Kingdom’s first heatwave of this year.”