Heatwave forecast to subside

AMMAN — Temperatures will gradually fall to the annual average of 31ºC for this time of the year from Monday, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said on Saturday.

A week-long heatwave began last Monday, with temperatures reaching a high of 37ºC in Amman, 42ºC in northern and central Jordan Valley, 44ºC in the southern Jordan Valley and 43ºC in Aqaba, JMD meteorologist Ayman Suboh said.

“Temperatures will drop slightly on Sunday and Monday while remaining above the annual average for this time of the year. The heatwave is forecast to end on Tuesday when temperatures will be 31ºC,” Suboh told The Jordan Times.

During the heatwave, which was brought by a hot air mass accompanied by an expansion of a seasonal Indian depression, temperatures rose by 6 to 7 degrees above the annual average for June, according to the JMD.

Authorities customarily announce a heatwave when temperatures soar above the annual average by 5ºC for a period of more than three days.

The weather on Sunday is expected to be hot and dry across the Kingdom and very hot in the Jordan Valley, Aqaba and the Dead Sea, while winds will be northwesterly moderate, turning to brisk in the afternoon and raising dust in the eastern and southern regions, according to the JMD, which forecast daytime temperatures of 35ºC.

A drop in temperatures is expected on Monday, when the weather will be relatively hot in mountainous areas and hot in the rest of the Kingdom. Temperatures will reach a high of 33ºC in Amman and winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk.

“On Tuesday, temperatures will drop back to their annual average for this time of the year, reaching a high of 30ºC in Amman and 37ºC in Aqaba,” Suboh said.

The department said a moderate air mass is expected to affect the country starting Tuesday, and pleasant summer weather is expected.