Jordan is affected by a high-pressure system despite the severe weather conditions. How is that?

Arab Weather App - The Kingdom is affected during these days by an extension of a high-pressure system that imposes stable weather, but it is very cold. The reason is that it is affected by the extension of what is called the Siberian High. The Siberian High is one of the cold continental anticyclones, which is centered at latitude 45 degrees north, over northeastern Siberia and Central Asia, and it is the largest high-pressure system that affects during the winter of the northern hemisphere of the Earth.

What is a high-pressure system?

A high-pressure system is generally an area where surface air pressure is high. Air pressure rises when it cools, so the cold air is compressed and accumulates over an area, registering high pressure, or it is formed when air descends from top to bottom, forming an area of air dispersion and a high-pressure area on the surface.

The highest pressure value is at the center of the high-pressure system, and the pressure decreases towards the edges. The movement of air from the center towards the edges is in a clockwise circular motion in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere. A high-pressure system can cover an area of 320-3225 square kilometers. As for the vertical extension, the high-pressure system is often shallow, with a height not exceeding 3000 meters.

What is the Siberian High?

The Siberian High is known as a massive mass of cold air that gathers over the Siberian region in northeastern Eurasia. Because the cold air pressure is high, high pressure prevails in the areas it affects, and the temperature drops. Extreme cold and dryness are among the most important features of the Siberian High because it is formed as a result of severe surface cooling over continental areas far from maritime influences.

The Siberian High is considered responsible for the waves of severe cold and dryness in large areas of Europe and Asia, and its influence may cross the Arctic Ocean to affect Canada and the United States.

And God knows best.