When does the winter square start in Jordan?

Arab Weather - The forty days of winter are known in Jordan, the Levant, and many Arab countries as the beginning of the period of intense cold in winter. It is an important and critical period, especially for farmers and agricultural lands, due to the high chances of frost and freezing, which causes crop damage. So, when does the forty days begin in Jordan?

When does the square start in Jordan?

The forty-day period begins with the astronomical start of winter, on December 21 or 22, and ends at the end of January, meaning it lasts for 40 days.

Winter lasts for ninety days and is divided into two parts:

The first section : Al-Murabba’iyah, and its name refers to the number of its days, i.e. forty days.

The second section : The Khamasiniyah. Its length is indicated by its name, which is fifty days, and it is called the period of the Saudat.

Saudization period

The period of the four Saudi years in Jordan follows the period of the four Saudi years, which are:

Saad Al-Dhabih (begins 1/31): This refers to the severe cold that occurs during this period. It is expressed in the popular proverb: (Saad Al-Dhabih, his dog doesn't bark, his farmers don't cultivate, and his shepherd doesn't graze).

Sa'd Bal'a (starts on 12/2): It is called Bal'a because the ground swallows its water during this period, causing rivers to overflow and wells to fill. It is expressed in the popular proverb: "Sa'd Bal'a, when a drop falls and it is swallowed."

Sa'd al-Sa'ud (begins February 25): The weather breaks its coldness and warms up. This stage marks the beginning of spring, as leaves ripen, flowers bloom, and signs of spring begin to emerge. It is expressed in the popular proverb: "Sa'd al-Sa'ud, the water flows with the stick, and warms everything that is cold."

Sa'd al-Khabayya (begins September 3): Trees blossom, insects roam, and spring begins in the land. It is expressed in the popular proverb: "Sa'd al-Khabayya, the young women emerge, and the young girls become fragrant."

Borrowed days, what are they?

The borrowed days are 7 days including the last 4 days of February and the first 3 days of March.

It was given this name because February, the shortest month of the year, was borrowed from March, so that the rains would last longer. It is also called "The Old Woman's Days" because it falls at the end of winter. During these days, the cold is at its most intense, and the rains are heavy. February says to March: "March, my cousin, three from you and four from me, so that the old woman will sing in the valley."

The decisive days

The decisive days begin on 3/11, and it was said that their duration is 6 or 8 days. They were called that because they are days of severe cold and wind, as mentioned in Surat Al-Haqqah. God Almighty said: “He subjected them to seven nights and eight days in succession, and you would see the people therein fallen down as if they were hollow trunks of palm trees. (7) Do you see any remnant of them? (8)”

The falling of the three Jamarat

The first one is on 20/2, and it is the ember of the air; people feel the warmth of the air.

The second is on 27/2, which is the ember of water; people feel the warmth of the water.

The third is in 6/3, which is the ember of the earth; people feel the warmth of the earth.