AMMAN — Winter begins in the Northern Hemisphere on Sunday, marked by the winter solstice at around 6:00pm Jordan time, according to astronomers.

 

The day will feature the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year, with the sun shining for just 10 hours and 3 minutes in Amman and surrounding areas.

 

Astronomical experts told the Jordan News Agency, Petra, that winter will last roughly 89 days, ending with the spring equinox on March 20.

 

Astronomical winter will continue for 88 days, 23 hours and 42 minutes, ending at 5:45 p.m. on 20 March. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will observe the summer solstice during the same period.

 

In Amman, astronomical midnight, when the sun is at its lowest point below the horizon, will occur at 12:34am between Sunday night and Monday morning, marking the darkest moment of the day.

 

Daylight hours will gradually increase after the solstice, culminating in near-equal day and night at the spring equinox.

 

Meanwhile, Jordan is not expected to experience any rainfall until December 25, with temperatures forecast to rise slightly but remain generally cold, particularly during early mornings and nights, according to the Jordan Meteorology Department (JMD).

 

JMD Director Raed Khatab said that the continued influence of cold air masses will maintain low temperatures, while prevailing eastern winds will increase the chill, and winds are expected to gradually shift to westerly after midweek.

 

The JMD warned that fog may form over high mountainous areas and parts of the plains between Saturday and Thursday. Frost is also likely in some regions, especially in the Badiah and the southern Sharah highlands, where surface temperatures could occasionally fall below zero degrees Celsius.

 

Authorities have urged citizens to exercise caution, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours.

 

Looking ahead to the final week of December, preliminary forecasts indicate a possible change in weather conditions, with the Kingdom potentially affected by a low-pressure system, Khatab said, noting that updated and more precise information will be provided as it becomes available.