Hot, dusty weather to continue on Sunday, ease off by Monday — JMD

AMMAN — Temperatures on Sunday will be five degrees above their annual average during this time of the year, as the country continues to be influenced by unstable weather conditions, a meteorologist said on Saturday.

The unstable weather conditions started affecting the country on Saturday, when temperatures were eight degrees above their annual average of 22°C during this time of the year, according to a weather forecaster at the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

“The weather on Sunday will be relatively hot, dry and dusty as the unstable weather conditions continue to affect the Kingdom,” the meteorologist told The Jordan Times.

Temperatures will be 25°C during the day, dropping to 14°C at night in Amman, and winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk, raising dust, he added.

“The department warns motorists of reduced road visibility due to dust across the country,” the weather forecaster said, expecting light showers on Sunday in the south and east of the Kingdom.

The above average temperatures, dust and dry weather during this time of the year are characteristics of a khamsini depression, the meteorologist said, noting that the current weather conditions are, however, not linked to a khamsini depression.

“A khamsini depression originates from the north of Africa, but the current unstable weather conditions are extending from the Arabian Peninsula, which is bringing in the hot and dusty weather,” the meteorologist noted.

The name is derived from “khamsin” — meaning 50 in Arabic — because it usually occurs during a 50-day time frame, from March 20 through May 9 or 10.

During this period, the Kingdom experiences multiple depressions bringing dusty and warm weather, according to the JMD.

Khamsini weather conditions affect the eastern part of the Mediterranean an average of once a week. 

The hot, sand-laden winds, originating from the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, annually move east of the Mediterranean Sea around this time of year and are usually preceded by unseasonably high temperatures and dusty conditions.

The meteorologist highlighted that the impact of the unstable weather conditions will start to ease off by Sunday night.

Temperatures on Monday are expected to drop to around the annual average during this time of the year, the meteorologist said, noting that the weather will become fair, with mercury levels ranging between a high of 21 and a low of 10 at night in the capital.

A slight rise in temperatures is forecast for Tuesday, when an upper trough starts affecting the country.

The weather on Tuesday will be fair and temperatures will be 23°C during the day and 11°C at nighttime in Amman, according to the JMD.