WSM – The WSM Regional Center issues the seasonal report for summer 2024 in Jordan and countries in the region, which is expected to be a hot summer coinciding with successive and unseasonable atmospheric disturbances that are considered rare for the summer season as a result of an unusual circulation of the atmosphere causing a significant rise in temperature in the Mediterranean region.
Temperatures|
It is expected that the average temperature in Jordan this summer will be higher by approximately one and a half degrees Celsius, meaning that temperatures will be recorded on regular days slightly above the seasonal averages, remaining around 35 degrees Celsius in Marka and the eastern outskirts of the capital.
This is due to the extension of the hot air mass from the Arabian Peninsula toward Jordan more than usual, which increases the Kingdom's exposure to a hotter summer, especially the eastern parts, in addition to the warming of Mediterranean seawater which reduces the mitigation of weather heat, as well as an increase in the number of severe heat waves in the Mediterranean and southern Europe which will reduce the likelihood of a moderate air mass reaching the region or reduce its impact, but at the same time this increases atmospheric instability and unseasonable atmospheric disturbances.
Wind Speed|
It is expected that the average wind speed will be more than usual by approximately 5 km/hour compared to the seasonal condition, this effect will be clearly noticeable during the afternoon and evening, especially in western areas, and the reason is due to the intensity of heat rise in the Arabian Peninsula region and east Jordan compared to the usual condition, this causes an increase in temperature differences between the western and eastern parts of the Kingdom, so the effect of weather heat intensity will be noticed more toward the east of the Kingdom and east of the capital by several degrees Celsius compared to the western parts, as well as strong heat waves in the Mediterranean work to increase atmospheric disturbances and increase wind speed in the region.
Humidity Level|
Humidity levels will be much higher compared to the usual condition, especially in the month of August, which greatly increases the feeling of hot weather compared to recorded temperatures, the warming of the Mediterranean will be the largest factor in increasing humidity levels which will be noticed during the afternoon and night and increase the exhausting feeling of weather.
Number of Heat Waves|
The WSM Regional Center expects an increase in the number of "strong" heat waves, especially during the second half of August and the first half of September in the Kingdom, and are expected to be comprehensive and severe in impact, it is expected that the number of heat waves will reach 2-3 heat waves with most of them concentrated during the end of summer.
Unseasonable Rainy Weather Conditions|
Despite the expected rise in temperature, this will coincide with unseasonable rainy weather conditions that are rare for the summer season, with most of them concentrated during July and August, specifically in the southern and eastern regions of the Kingdom and extending toward some central and northern areas of the country, unseasonable atmospheric disturbances will have a high chance during the second half of August.
This is due to the advancement of humid monsoon winds toward the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt, and Iraq during the summer season due to the rise in temperature across the region.
Tips and Guidelines During the Summer Season..
The rise in temperature during the summer season is a global phenomenon affecting various countries of the world, and with increased population density and human activity, this leads to increased impact inside crowded cities which increases pressure on the electricity sector, therefore we always recommend operating air conditioning units at 25-26 degrees Celsius and this greatly leads to reducing pressure on the electricity sector.
Rising temperatures lead to increased water consumption, especially for the agricultural sector, therefore we always recommend deep irrigation for crops and avoid surface irrigation entirely, or we recommend using drip irrigation technology to rationalize water consumption, these techniques greatly reduce water consumption for irrigating crops.
Unseasonable atmospheric disturbances increase the chances of wind activity or the occurrence of heavy thunderstorms in some areas and suddenly, and this affects public health, especially for patients with respiratory diseases, allergies, and asthma.
As for the agricultural sector, we recommend reducing the use of fertilizers or using those designated to reduce thermal stress on plants, after consulting specialists in the agricultural sector and according to the type of crops
Atmospheric Circulation|
It is expected that atmospheric circulation this summer will be unusual for the northern atmosphere,
as cold air masses that usually affect the European continent will shrink and will concentrate
more toward the northern parts of Europe as well as the far west of the Atlantic Ocean, and this leads
to the concentration of hot air pushing from Africa over the European continent, especially the central
and eastern parts of it and over periods extending to the western parts.
The Mediterranean region will suffer from several strong heat waves, especially the central part of it,
due to the activity of atmospheric depressions over the east Atlantic Ocean and up to the western edges of
the European continent.
Rising temperatures in the Arabian Peninsula and Mediterranean region will stimulate a decrease in surface
atmospheric pressure more significantly over northern Saudi Arabia and central Egypt, pushing humid monsoon winds
to affect a wide range of the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa, and this greatly increases
the chances of rainy clouds toward the Kingdom, especially as heat waves approach the region.
Despite the significant rise in temperature, high and medium clouds will be noticed spreading
over the eastern Mediterranean and Arabian Peninsula regions, as a result of expected cooling of
the middle and upper atmosphere layers more than usual, and this increases the chances of
unseasonable atmospheric disturbances which may be dangerous and unusual for the summer season.
Jordan is affected by climate changes in recent years that have caused temperatures to rise above
their seasonal averages and a significant increase in rainfall rates.