Warm, sunny weekend forecast

AMMAN — The country will be affected on Friday by unstable weather conditions, which will bring light rain to the eastern and southern regions, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

The impact of the unstable weather will be weak and will not affect the central or northern regions, JMD meteorologist Laila Shaheen said on Thursday, noting that temperatures will remain around their annual average of 27ºC during this time of year.

The weather on Friday will be fair in most parts of the country and relatively hot in Aqaba and the Jordan Valley, according to the JMD.

Temperatures in the capital will range between a high of 28ºC during the day and a low of 16ºC at night, while winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk, raising dust in the badia.

Fair and sunny weather will prevail on Saturday, when temperatures in Amman will reach a maximum of 28ºC and drop to a minimum of 17ºC, Shaheen added.

A slight drop in mercury levels is forecast for Sunday, when pleasant spring weather will prevail, according to the JMD.

Temperatures in the capital will range between 26ºC and 13ºC, and winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk at times.

Citing climatic data, Shaheen highlighted that Sunday marks the end of the annual khamsini weather phenomenon.

"Khamsini usually ends on May 10, plus or minus two days," she told The Jordan Times.

The name of the phenomenon is derived from khamsin — meaning 50 in Arabic — because it usually occurs during a 50-day time frame, from March 21 through May 10. 

Khamsini weather conditions affect the eastern part of the Mediterranean an average of once a week during this period, according to the JMD.

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 dry and dusty conditions.