Dragon Storm.. and details of the historical depression that affected Jordan and the countries of the eastern Mediterranean in 2020

Weather of Arabia - Thursday and Friday (12-13) of March 2020 was an exceptional weekend for the residents of Jordan, Egypt and the countries of the eastern Mediterranean, as the region was affected by a rare and historical weather event in terms of location and severity, so what was the cause of the storm? And what damage was caused at that time?

Dragon Storm..a historic fourth-degree depression

The fourth-degree air depression, which affected 9 countries in the eastern Mediterranean in mid-March 2020, is considered a rare and historic weather event in terms of its location and intensity, as a cold air mass rushed from the eastern European continent towards the eastern basin of the Mediterranean and took an unusual path And it entered the Egyptian territory and merged with hot air currents from the African continent, which caused the formation of an exceptional storm called "The Dragon".

The values of atmospheric pressure over the north of the Egyptian lands declined to approximately 983Mp, and these values are considered destructive and unprecedented in modern history.

Damage of the Dragon Depression in Jordan

Jordan was gradually affected, starting from the southern regions, by a strong dust storm at the front of the deep depression that centered over Egypt. to 120 km/h, and a great rise in sea salt in the Gulf of Aqaba, until the Jordanian Maritime Authority in Aqaba stopped the movement of ships and boats.

The storm caused great damage to public and private properties in many areas of Jordan due to strong winds and heavy rain, which was very heavy in some areas, which led to the formation of strong torrents in different areas and the uprooting of trees and many other damages, which included the following:

• Strong torrents in Wadi Musa and Petra necessitated the early warning sirens.
• Rainwater and torrential rain swept a child into the shadowy valley and led to his death.
• Flood waters raided 8 homes and many shops in Zarqa Governorate.
• Floodwaters submerged a number of cars and houses in the pavement.
• The closure of a number of Jerash governorate roads due to the high water level.
• 600 people trapped by torrential rains in different parts of the Kingdom.
• Rising water levels in a number of roads in the Jordanian capital, Amman.
• The high waves caused the collapse of part of the corniche in the southern Aqaba beach and closed it.
• The collapse of the Rusaifa municipality wall.
• Evacuating 6 homes of its residents in the Jordan Valley as a precautionary measure.
• The evacuation of 5 families from their homes in different regions of the Kingdom.
• Damage to greenhouses in the Jordan Valley by up to 100%.
• 170 trees fell in different regions of the Kingdom.
• Large material losses in the Jordan Valley farms were estimated at millions of dinars.
• 12 people, who were on yachts in Aqaba, were taken to hospital, injured by the wind.
• 4 boats crashed and other damage was caused by strong winds in Aqaba.
• Strong winds brought a fiftie from the roof of his house.
• Lack of horizontal visibility in some areas due to heavy sandstorms.

Dragon storm damage in Egypt

The dragon storm turned the day in Egypt into night as a result of the dust storm that preceded the rain, and thunderstorms and torrential rain hit the city of Cairo and a number of Egyptian governorates, which led to human and material losses (the death of a child after the roof of the house fell) and the closure of some roads, while the authorities closed schools. Government institutions, an airport, and the first line of the subway.

The country continued to be affected by a state of severe instability in weather conditions from Thursday (March 12) until Saturday (March 14), accompanied by stormy winds that raise sand and dust, and heavy rainfall.

Why was it called "Dragon Storm" that name?

The reason for calling "Dragon Storm" by this name is due to the shape of the air depression as it appeared on the air maps, as it was somewhat similar to the shape of the dragon, but those who gave that name were activists on social networking sites, not weather monitoring sites.