Expected blizzard puts Amman municipality on maximum alert

AMMAN — With colder polar winds expected to prevail on Monday, bringing heavy rain, hail and snow, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) has announced a state of maximum alert to deal with weather-related emergencies, according to officials.

Very cold weather is forecast for Monday, when snow is expected on elevations of 800m above sea level and higher, according to Raed Rafed, head of the weather forecast section at the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD).

"Snow will fall and accumulate tomorrow [Monday] during the day on areas located 800m above sea level and by nighttime, it will fall on areas as low as 700 metres above sea level. The thickness of snow will depend on the altitude of each location," Rafed told The Jordan Times.

Temperatures during the day will be 5ºC, dropping by nightfall to 0ºC in the capital, while winds will be northwesterly, with strong gusts, the JMD said.

Another slight drop in mercury levels is forecast for Tuesday, when rain and snow are expected to continue.

"Rain will become heavy at times on Tuesday, while snow is expected on elevations of 700m above sea level and higher. In addition, the desert is also expected to witness snow showers," Rafed noted.

Temperatures will range between a maximum of 4ºC and a minimum of -1ºC in Amman, while winds will be northwesterly moderate to brisk.

"The impact of the depression and the cold polar front, which started affecting the country on Saturday, is expected to ease off by Wednesday night, when freezing temperatures, frost and ice formation are expected," Rafed noted.

Snow showers is forecast in the desert on Wednesday, while very cold, partly cloudy and rainy weather is expected across the country, according to the JMD, which said that winds at night will turn from northwesterly to northeasterly moderate.

The JMD urged people to exercise maximum caution, warning that flood formation in low-lying areas and snow accumulation are forecast, in addition to strong winds, reduced road visibility due to heavy fog, rain and snow, slippery roads and freezing temperatures.

Meanwhile, GAM said on Sunday that 5,000 municipal staff are currently on stand-by and will be working around-the-clock during this week.

"The municipal staff will constantly check the state of the manholes to prevent the flooding of streets and tunnels. In addition, a winter fleet of 140 vehicles is also on stand-by including snowploughs, bulldozers and tow-away trucks," GAM Spokesperson Izzedin Shammout told The Jordan Times.

GAM has also authorised district managers to rent private trucks and bulldozers, but stipulated that the rented private vehicles must carry plates indicating that they are hired by the municipality.

"The step seeks to prevent the exploitation of the public," Shamout noted.

He said the public can call GAM for any weather emergency on 06/5359970 or 06/5359971.

"People are also urged to stay indoors and avoid venturing out during snowfall to allow the municipality's vehicles to work efficiently on opening the roads," Shammout added.