WASM- Reports spread through media outlets predicting a "strong and harsh" drought wave that would affect the region and Jordan at the beginning of the rainy season due to a climate phenomenon called "La Niña," however, reality contradicted the rumors that circulated at the start of the rainy season as heavy rains fell, particularly over northern and central Jordan, with the season exceeding its usual rates at this time and heavy rains expected to continue in the coming weeks and extend to wide areas of Jordan and neighboring countries.
But does drought waves and the decline in rainfall rates really coincide with the La Niña climate phenomenon?
WASM Regional Center answers this question, as the atmosphere is highly complex and affected by many climate factors, both local and external, which affect the movement and circulation of the atmosphere. Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to judge the rainy season based on a single climate phenomenon. Because the matter is highly complex, WASM Regional Center developed a unique climate model that is the first of its kind in the Arab region, and its results showed expectations of an excellent rainy season and consecutive rainy weather conditions.
WASM Regional Center denies this information..
WASM Regional Center denied this information that spread through media outlets on more than one occasion, and the rumors that spoke of a harsh drought wave that would affect the kingdom and the decline in rainfall rates during the current season to record-breaking figures. This is because this information is based on inaccurate theories about linking the rainy season to specific climate phenomena, which have proven inaccurate during the beginning of the current rainy season, which was characterized by consecutive heavy rains, causing confusion and economic losses, especially in the agricultural sectors.
What is the La Niña climate phenomenon?
The La Niña climate phenomenon is a clear drop in temperatures in the tropical region of the Pacific Ocean below its average rates, which causes a change in the movement and circulation of the atmosphere. This results in the concentration of atmospheric lows and rainy conditions over the European continent, North Africa, and the northern and central United States if the effect of the climate phenomenon alone on the atmosphere is considered. However, because the atmosphere is highly complex and affected by dozens of major and minor climate factors, the final result of atmospheric circulation becomes different. This is what WASM's climate model, the first of its kind in the Arab region, is based on, which is why it greatly surpasses other models in the accuracy of long-range weather information.
Nature of the current rainy season..
The current rainy season is characterized by consecutive rainfall and atmospheric lows without significant interruptions, since mid-November (11) until today. The season also distinguished itself with an early start, as the first rainfall was recorded at the end of September (9), which has not happened for years. Weather authorities in the region recorded "very massive" quantities of rainfall that exceeded half of the entire rainy season in some areas. Rainfall in the capital Amman exceeded approximately 100mm during the last storm alone, which is a record and has not happened for many years during a single winter storm in some areas. In the recent rainy seasons, there has been an increase in rainfall rates to significant numbers, especially since 2015, but at the same time temperatures rose to record levels, which reflected an increase in water consumption and higher evaporation rates.
Expectations for the coming period..
WASM Regional Center expects, based on the data from the climate model it possesses, which is the only one of its kind in the Arab region, the continuation of heavy rainy conditions and consecutive weather conditions continuing until spring, with expectations of increased chances of strong winter storms at the beginning of the new year as well as during February 2022, which is expected to reflect an excellent, abundant, and widespread rainy season covering many areas. There is no truth to the information that indicated a harsh drought wave or rainfall suppression, which negatively affected the agricultural sector and caused confusion. Therefore, WASM always recommends following accurate sources of weather information, which are represented by the Jordanian Meteorology Department and WASM Regional Center, which uses modern technology in weather forecasting and which has developed the first climate model of its kind in the Arab region.
Promising rainy season with more rain expected in coming weeks and no drought affecting Jordan
