Gov’t teams on alert, snow forecast for Wednesday

AMMAN — Mountainous areas 800 metres above sea level and higher are forecast to see snow on Wednesday, according to the Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) on Tuesday. 

Most areas in the Kingdom are expected to witness very cold weather conditions with brisk wind that will increase dust as the country is affected by a very cold polar air mass on Wednesday, the JMD said, as reported by the Jordan News Agency, Petra.

On Thursday, temperatures will continue to decrease to around seven to nine degrees below their yearly. Snowfall is expected to continue in areas 900 metres above sea level and higher, the department has forecast.

The JMD said that as of Thursday night the chance of snowfall will decrease in the northern and central parts of the Kingdom but will continue in the southern parts.

Very cold and rainy weather is expected in the northern and central regions of the Kingdom, while the southern region may witness light snowfall in the early morning hours. 

Meanwhile, the Local Administration Ministry on Tuesday announced a state of maximum alert. The main operations room at the ministry headquarters and all emergency rooms in municipalities and joint services councils are on alert across the Kingdom to deal with the forecast weather.

The ministry said that it prepared a comprehensive plan in the main emergency room, 100 emergency rooms in municipalities and 17 at joint services councils, according to Petra. 

It has also called on the public to report any emergencies through 06-4631987, 06-4622372, and 06-4641393. 

The Electricity Distribution Company (EDCO) said that its personnel are ready to deal with the forecast weather conditions in a way that ensures the sustainability of power. 

It called on citizens within its areas in Aqaba, Maan, Tafileh, Karak and the Jordan Valley to report any power cuts on the free number 080022288 or through calling 06-5001370, according to Petra.

The Public Works Ministry on Tuesday announced the activation of maximum alert status as of Wednesday morning in conjunction with the expected weather conditions in the Kingdom.

The ministry also announced that its 98 field teams dispatched across Jordan will be ready to confront the weather conditions, Petra reported.

The ministry called on the public to exercise caution, specifically avoiding flood-prone areas and to drive carefully due to the possibility of low visibility resulting from fog formation in mountainous areas.

The public is urged not to hesitate to report any emergencies through contacting the main operations room at the ministry on 065850111 and through WhatsApp on 0780377223 for all governorates.