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AMMAN — The effect of the sandstorm that hit the Kingdom on Tuesday will start dissipating on Wednesday, while a rise in temperatures is forecast in the coming days, according to a meteorologist.
The sandstorm affected first the eastern part of the country on Tuesday, coming from the south of Syria and north of Iraq, Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) forecaster Abdul Munem Qaralleh told The Jordan Times.
“These two parts, the south of Syria and north of Iraq, are the main destinations for sandstorms. The one that affected the Kingdom is not exceptional,” he said over the phone.
Qaralleh noted that the effect of the sandstorm will end on Thursday.
“The dust covered the Kingdom slowly because there was no wind compared to previous cases,” he added.
Qaralleh, however, said temperatures are forecast to increase in the coming two days due to the affect of a seasonal depression originating from the Indian sub-continent.
Temperatures, he noted, will be between five degrees and seven degrees above their annual average for this time of the year.
Temperatures in Amman will range between 38ºC and 26ºC on Wednesday while they will range between 38ºC and 25ºC on Thursday.
In Aqaba, temperatures on Wednesday will be between 29ºC and 40ºC, while mercury levels will range between 27ºC and 39ºC in desert areas, according to the JMD.
In hilly areas, temperatures are forecast to be between 21ºC and 34ºC, while they are expected to be between 30ºC and 39ºC in the Jordan Valley on Wednesday.
Qaralleh said people are advised to remain hydrated while motorists should to not leave their children in unventilated cars.
Meanwhile, Public Security Department (PSD) personnel have started distributing water and protective masks to motorists and pedestrians in order to protect them from the effect of the dust in Amman, according to PSD Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi.
“We gave masks and water in several parts of the capital and we will keep doing that as long as the dust is affecting the country,” he told The Jordan Times.
Many motorists, pedestrians and children were seen in the capital wearing masks for protection from the dust.