Amman, March 26 (Petra) -- A deepening cold air mass is driving a sharp deterioration in weather conditions on Thursday, with temperatures plunging well below seasonal averages and heavy rain, thunderstorms, and hail sweeping across much of the country, the Jordan Meteorological Department said.
Temperatures have fallen by around 7–8 C below normal levels, with cold, overcast, and rainy conditions dominating most regions. Rainfall is expected to be heavy at times, particularly in western areas, raising the risk of flash flooding and rising water levels in valleys and low-lying areas, including Aqaba and the Dead Sea.
Early morning conditions may also bring brief sleet or light snow over the highest southern mountain peaks, while strong westerly winds, with gusts exceeding 60 km/h, are expected to intensify hazardous conditions and reduce visibility, especially in exposed areas.
Authorities warned of multiple risks, including flash floods, thunderstorms, hail, and strong winds, as well as reduced visibility caused by fog and low clouds over mountainous regions. Drivers have been urged to exercise caution due to slippery roads, while the public has been advised to avoid low-lying areas and refrain from approaching coastal waters in the Gulf of Aqaba.
Conditions are expected to ease slightly on Friday, with a modest rise in temperatures and continued rainfall in western regions and limited parts of the northeast. Winds are forecast to remain active with strong gusts before gradually subsiding later in the day.
A further slight improvement is expected over the weekend, with temperatures edging higher while relatively cold conditions persist across most regions. Low-lying areas, including the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and Aqaba, are expected to remain comparatively milder under partly cloudy skies.
Temperatures in eastern Amman on Thursday are expected to range between 10 C and 7 C, compared with 8 C and 5 C in western parts of the capital, while Aqaba is forecast to record highs of around 22 C and lows near 13 C.
//Petra// RZ
