Jordan | Wednesday: Unstable weather conditions centered in the eastern part of the Kingdom require attention to the risks of flash floods

Arab Weather - The latest weather map outputs at the Arab Weather Regional Center indicate that the Kingdom will be affected, starting Wednesday morning, 10/30/2024, by the first case of atmospheric instability, concentrated in southern and eastern Jordan.

Details of Jordan being affected by a state of atmospheric instability on Wednesday

In detail, starting from Wednesday morning hours, a state of atmospheric instability will arise, as cumulus clouds multiply over several areas of the southeast and east of the Kingdom, and showers of rain will fall, accompanied by active surface wind speeds that stir up dust and dirt at the forefront of the influence of cumulus clouds, which may extend towards some major cities.

Rainfall will be of varying intensity, sometimes accompanied by thunderstorms, especially in the eastern regions. It is not unlikely that the rain will be heavy at times, which may lead to the formation of flash floods or transferred floods (which means a large flow of floods coming from distant areas to areas that are not necessarily exposed to rainfall). Water levels are expected to rise on the roads, especially in the areas east of Mafraq specifically and Safawi, in addition to parts of Zarqa, especially the Azraq area, and the Baghdad International Road leading to the Trebil border crossing with Iraq.

However, during the night hours, the unstable weather conditions may weaken, and the chance of local showers of rain remains in limited and scattered parts of the Kingdom. It is worth noting that the chances of cumulonimbus clouds will remain available on Thursday, but with less intensity and comprehensiveness, and may be accompanied by thunder at times.

Unstable situations... random but dangerous and require preparation

Experts at "Arab Weather" pointed out that the nature of the atmospheric instability affecting the Kingdom is accompanied by random rainfall, meaning that there is expected to be a variation in the location and intensity of rainfall with large differences within small geographical areas, and this in itself becomes a dangerous factor as it leads to the valleys flowing significantly and forming what is called transferred torrents, which move from one place to another without the condition of rainfall. Atmospheric instability is also characterized by the rapid change of weather in very short periods, and these cases are accompanied by an increase in the chances of large hail and sudden and large wind activity. At times, dense dust belts form in desert areas before thunderstorms. It is expected, God willing, that the upcoming case will be concentrated primarily in the southern and eastern regions of the Kingdom, and the case requires attention and preparation.

Down winds accompanied by thunder clouds

Thunderstorms are also expected to be accompanied by what is known as strong downdraft winds in the areas where they occur, with gusts that may exceed 70 km/h, which may also lead to the formation of dense dust waves. These winds require securing outdoor belongings and driving with extreme caution during their occurrence.

Serious and important recommendations from Arab Weather during the impact of the state of atmospheric instability:

- Beware of the risk of sudden and torrential floods in the southeast and east of the Kingdom.
- Beware of the strong downward wind speed during the passage of thunderclouds.
- Be careful not to be in valleys and ravines and take precautions while picking olives.
- Take shelter inside buildings when lightning strikes.
- Avoid making trips during the period of atmospheric instability affecting the Kingdom.
- Beware of low visibility due to dust resulting from the descending winds accompanying thunderclouds, especially in the desert areas of the Kingdom.

A slight drop in temperatures on Wednesday

In a related context, temperatures are expected to drop slightly on Wednesday, to be about 4 degrees Celsius lower than their average for this time of year. The weather will be pleasant in most areas, and relatively hot in the Jordan Valley, the Red Sea, and the city of Aqaba.

The winds will be northeasterly to easterly, moderate in speed, sometimes active and causing dust storms when active.

What is the scientific reason for the formation of atmospheric instability?

It is noteworthy that the state of atmospheric instability is the result of the meeting of a cold air mass in the upper layers of the atmosphere with a surface extension of the Red Sea depression, with the availability of moisture in the various layers of the atmosphere. The effects of the state of atmospheric instability are concentrated in the southeastern and eastern regions, which may lead to the formation of torrents and the flow of valleys and ravines.

God knows best.