Polar front channels 17mcm of water into major dams

AMMAN — Over 17 million cubic metres (mcm) of water entered the country’s 10 major dams during the recent blizzard, raising storage levels to almost half their total capacity, a government official said on Monday.

A polar front accompanied by a depression, which started affecting the country last Tuesday night, brought heavy rain and snow across the Kingdom.

The major dams now hold 159.4mcm, which constitutes 49 per cent of the total storage capacity of 325mcm, Jordan Valley Authority (JVA) Secretary General Saad Abu Hammour told The Jordan Times.

“Compared to the same period last year, storage levels at the dams are higher,” Abu Hammour noted.

In January 2014, the dams held 132mcm or 40 per cent of their total capacity, while in the same month of 2013, they held 51.6mcm, or 16 per cent of their total capacity, according to official figures.

Meanwhile, the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) said the country will be affected by unstable weather conditions on Wednesday and a cold air mass starting Thursday.

A slight rise in mercury levels is forecast for Tuesday, when temperatures will be around their annual average of 8°C during time of year, JMD meteorologist Abdul Munem Qaralleh said on Monday.

Temperatures in Amman will range between a high of 7°C and a low of 1°C, while winds will southeasterly moderate to brisk.

“The department has issued a warning for icy roads, especially in the badia, mountainous areas and eastern plains as well as possible frost formation in northern Jordan Valley,” Qaralleh added.

Cold weather is also forecast on Wednesday, when the country will be affected by a depression in the afternoon, he said.

By Wednesday night, the weather will become cloudy, with rain and thunderstorms expected. Temperatures in the capital will reach 7°C during the day, dropping to 3°C at night, while winds will be southwesterly, turning to northwesterly brisk in the afternoon.

A slight drop in temperatures is forecast for Thursday as a cold air mass starts affecting the country, according to the JMD meteorologist, who said the weather will be cold and cloudy, with rain and thunderstorms expected in the morning.

Snow is also expected in high mountainous areas in the early morning hours of Thursday, especially in the southern region, according to the JMD.

Temperatures in Amman will range between a maximum of 5°C and a minimum of 2°C, with westerly brisk winds. 

The country will remain under the impact of the cold air mass on Friday, according to Qaralleh.