Jordan endured its hottest August on record, as a severe heatwave gripped the kingdom between 7th and 15th August, pushing daytime highs 6 to 12°C above seasonal averages for more than a week, according to data from the Meteorological Department.
The heatwave set multiple records across the country. On 13th August, Aqaba’s King Hussein International Airport logged 49.6°C, the highest temperature ever recorded in Jordan’s climate archive, Petra News Agency reported.
Other extreme readings included 47.5°C in southern Azraq on 10th August, 45.2°C in Zarqa on 13th August, and 44.6°C at Queen Alia International Airport on the same day. Unprecedented nighttime temperatures were also observed, with lows of 35.5°C in Ghor al-Safi and 35°C in Aqaba, underscoring the intensity of the heatwave.
The Meteorological Department noted that the remainder of August brought more typical summer conditions. However, scattered thunderstorms between 10th and 13th August triggered flash floods in parts of the south and east, compounding the impact of the extreme weather.
The latest data highlights the growing vulnerability of the region to climate change-driven extremes, with record-breaking temperatures placing additional stress on water resources, agriculture, and public health.
–Input WAM
