A place in Jordan that is not affected by the scorching summer heat

Arab Weather - It is normal for Jordan to be affected by hot air masses during the summer seasons. This is due to its geographical location, which places it at approximately 35 degrees north latitude, making it one of the regions closest to the dry subtropical zone.

This location makes it affected by the desert and semi-desert climate in the east and south and the Mediterranean climate in the northwest and highlands. Jordan is increasingly affected by the tropical high during the summer due to its proximity to the region. This is evident in the extension of hot air masses towards the region and the rise in summer temperatures. Sometimes heat waves form and temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius and perhaps more in some seasons.

The diversity of terrain in Jordan imposes temperature differences between different regions.

Jordan is distinguished by its diverse topographic environment due to its geographical diversity, as mountain ranges spread across its western strip, from the Ajloun Highlands in the north to the Tafilah Highlands in the south, whose heights range between 800 and 1,500 meters above sea level. These highlands are characterized by their moderate climate in the summer and cold in the winter, with some exceptions that cause the mountainous highlands to experience hot weather when the Kingdom is affected by a very hot air mass or strong heat waves.

In the southern and eastern regions, there are plains and the eastern desert, which cover the largest part of the Kingdom and are characterised by a semi-desert nature and a hot climate in the summer and a cold, semi-arid climate in the winter.

The mountain ranges in the west overlook the Jordan Valley region, which includes the lowest area in the world, the Dead Sea region (about 430 meters below sea level). These regions are characterized by their very hot climate in the summer and warm climate in the winter.

A place in Jordan that is not affected by the scorching summer heat

What many people don't know is that there's a place in Jordan that rarely experiences the scorching summer heat or significant temperature increases: Jabal Umm ad-Dami, in the south of the kingdom.

Information about Jabal Umm al-Dami

Jabal Umm ad-Dami is the highest peak in Jordan, at approximately 1,854 meters above sea level. The mountain is located within Wadi Rum, within the borders of Aqaba Governorate, near Jordan's border with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is characterized by moderate temperatures in the summer and very cold temperatures in the winter.

Several scientific reasons make Jabal Umm ad-Dami less affected by heat waves compared to low-lying areas.

high altitude above sea level
As we rise above sea level, temperatures decrease at a rate of approximately 6.5°C per 1,000 meters, which is known as the "environmental thermal decrement rate." Therefore, at an altitude of 1,854 meters, temperatures in Jabal Umm ad Dami are 10–12°C cooler than in the lower areas around it.

Thin atmosphere in the highlands
The atmosphere is thinner on mountain peaks, reducing the air's ability to retain heat, especially at night, resulting in rapid and effective cooling.

high solar reflectance
Due to the light nature of the rocks and dry surfaces on mountaintops, they reflect a large portion of the solar radiation, limiting heat absorption.

Low pollution and dust
Higher layers of the atmosphere contain less dust and pollutant particles that trap heat in lower layers, contributing to relatively cooler weather.

mountain winds
High-altitude areas often experience relatively fresh and stable winds, which help cool the atmosphere and dissipate accumulated heat.

Despite its coolness, Jabal Umm ad Dami may be exposed to strong sunlight during the day, but the temperature does not rise as high as in the lower areas. However, temperatures can drop significantly at night and can be cold even in the summer months.