WASM- The Kingdom is affected by a snowstorm named "Wadq" that begins Wednesday afternoon and continues until the end of the week, resulting in heavy snow accumulation on mountainous highlands exceeding 700 meters above sea level. The name "Wadq" was assigned to the snowstorm in cooperation with the Arab Climate Center.
In detail, showers of rain mixed with snow fall Wednesday morning over the north and parts of the central region coinciding with strong winds. Gradually, the Kingdom is affected by a cold polar-origin air front bringing heavy rains and dense snow above 1000 meters, which drops rapidly during the afternoon and evening to 800 meters above sea level. This snow will be accumulated and heavy, accompanied by thunderstorms.
The snowstorm intensifies during Wednesday/Thursday night and the snow fall level drops to 700 meters and sometimes below, accumulating with "high density" over mountains exceeding 900 meters, coinciding with stormy wind gusts reaching 100 km/hour.
The snowstorm continues until Thursday afternoon then begins gradual retreat in intensity and the snow fall level rises to 900-950 meters. A new cold polar-origin air front is expected during Friday, which will intensify precipitation and snow above 900 meters and heavy rains below these altitudes. These weather conditions are expected to continue until Saturday morning. The storm gradually recedes during Saturday morning and weather stabilizes Saturday evening, but a strong freezing wave is expected, particularly in the mountains during Saturday/Sunday night.
Successive weather depressions and polar waves are expected throughout the remainder of winter, with increased chances of new snowstorms at the end of the winter season.
WASM issues a red alert level for the expected weather conditions from Wednesday through Friday due to the snowstorm and floods in low-lying areas, strong winds, cold weather, and freezing. WASM advises following the instructions of Civil Defense, General Security, and the Jordanian Meteorology Department.
