AMMAN - The Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) on Tuesday issued warnings of possible frost formation and urged farmers to take precautionary measures to avoid crop damage.
Meanwhile, Director of the Jordan Valley Agriculture Directorate Najah Masalha said inspection teams visited several farms and their reports indicated that crops so far have escaped the effects of frost.
"Farmers are aware of the measures that should be followed to avoid crop damage caused by frost, including irrigating plants during the night which helps to raise soil temperatures by five degrees, closing down greenhouses early to store heat and lighting fires around crops to warm up the atmosphere," Masalha told The Jordan Times yesterday.
The Jordan Valley's total agricultural area consists of 250,000 dunums, 170,000 of which are planted with vegetables and the rest with bananas, grain and citrus fruits.
A frost spell in January last year damaged 120,000 dunums planted with fruits and vegetables across the country, 90 per cent of which were located in the Jordan Valley.
Several fruits and vegetables such as zucchinis, aubergines, potatoes, beans, bell peppers, bananas and citrus trees were affected, with damage estimated at over JD10 million.
With the arrival of the marbainiyeh (the coldest 40 days of winter) in late December, several depressions and frost spells are expected to affect the Kingdom until January 31.
During this period, the Kingdom usually receives 25 to 35 per cent of its annual rainfall, but agriculture and water officials say the country has received only 10 per cent of the long-term annual average of 8.5 billion cubic metres so far.
Meanwhile, the JMD said it will be relatively cold during the day and cold at night today, as temperatures start increasing. A high of 12ºC and a low of 3ºC is forecast for today, while winds will be southeasterly brisk.
Another slight increase is predicted for tomorrow, but it will remain relatively cold. JMD sources told The Jordan Times that mercury levels will reach a maximum of 15ºC and drop to a minimum of 5ºC in the capital on Thursday.
Mercury levels will continue to rise on Friday, giving way to fair weather with plenty of sunshine with temperatures ranging between 19ºC and 6ºC in Amman.
According to the department, today's temperatures are around the annual average of 13ºC for this time of year, but will be by 5-6 degrees above the annual average on Friday.
By Hana Namrouqa
© Jordan Times 2009
