Temperatures soar above annual average as heatwave starts

AMMAN — As the Kingdom will remain under the impact of a heatwave over the next few days, the Civil Defence Department (CDD) on Thursday urged people to avoid sun exposure and to remain hydrated.

The CDD called on the public, especially those who work outdoors, to abide by its instructions to avoid sunstrokes and health complications resulting from the hot weather.

“First and foremost, people are advised against going out during the hottest hours of the day between noon and 3pm to avoid exhaustion and heatstrokes,” an officer at the CDD media centre said.

“In addition, people should drink lots of fluids and natural juices to stay hydrated and avoid drinks that contain sugar or caffeine, such as coffee and tea, because they cause the body to lose fluids,” the officer added.

Samer Batayneh had never known that drinking coffee was not good during hot spells.

“It’s a good piece of information from the CDD,” he told The Jordan Times while buying a cup of coffee from a café on the Amman-Irbid highway.

The CDD also urged people to wear light and loose clothes, hats and sunglasses, particularly those who work outdoors or are exposed to the sun.

Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) Director General Mohammad Samawi said on Thursday that the heatwave, which started affecting the country on Thursday, is forecast to prevail until next week.

“The heatwave is caused by a seasonal depression originating from the Indian subcontinent. As the depression passes above the Arabian Peninsula, it picks up more heat from the land, which explains the prevailing hot and dry weather,” Samawi told The Jordan Times.

The heatwave will push temperatures five degrees above their annual average of 32.1°C for this time of the year during the next three days, Samawi said, expecting temperatures to soar next week.

“The weather will be hot and dry across the country and very hot in the Jordan Valley, Aqaba and the badia,” he added, noting that temperatures on Thursday reached 42-43°C in Aqaba and the Jordan Valley.

Daytime temperatures on Friday will be 36°C, dropping to 24°C at night in Amman, according to the JMD, which said that winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly moderate.

A slight rise in mercury levels is expected on Saturday, when temperatures will reach a high of 37°C and drop to 25°C at night in Amman, according to the JMD.

On Sunday, temperatures will be 36°C during the day and 24°C at night, and winds will be northwesterly to northeasterly moderate. 

Omar Obeidat contributed to this report.