Ammon News - Jordan Meteorological Department (JMD) Director Raed Khattab said that astronomical autumn will begin in the Kingdom at 3:05 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, coinciding with the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere, and will continue until December 21, 2026, when the winter solstice occurs.

Khattab explained that there is a difference between the astronomical and meteorological starts of autumn. According to the seasonal classification used in meteorology, meteorological autumn begins at the start of September and continues through the end of November, while the astronomical start is linked to the occurrence of the autumnal equinox.

He added that autumn in Jordan is a transitional season characterized by varied and fluctuating weather patterns. The Kingdom may experience dry and warm to relatively hot conditions during some periods, while at other times it may be affected by unstable weather and rainfall, alongside the gradual onset of low-pressure systems and cold air fronts as the season progresses.

Khattab noted that the Meteorological Department’s climate records clearly reflect this variability. Jordan experienced 37 heatwaves during previous autumn seasons, the most recent of which occurred in 2022. Frost may also begin to appear in some parts of the Kingdom toward the end of autumn, while some areas recorded snowfall during autumn in 1982, 1994, and 2004, with those occurrences taking place during the final third of November.

He said the average maximum temperature at Amman Airport during the autumn months is 26.3°C, while the average minimum is 14.8°C. The average total rainfall during the season stands at 27.9 millimeters, accounting for around 11% of the annual seasonal rainfall average.

Khattab pointed to notable climate records during the autumn months: Deir Alla station recorded a maximum temperature of 50.1°C on September 4, 2020, the highest temperature recorded in Jordan’s climate records nationwide. Meanwhile, Al-Shobak station recorded a minimum temperature of 11.2°C below zero on November 17, 1978. Ras Muneef station also recorded the highest daily rainfall during the autumn months, reaching 114.6 mm on November 19, 2023.

Khattab stressed that these figures reflect the transitional and variable nature of autumn in Jordan. The astronomical start of autumn does not necessarily mean an immediate or sustained drop in temperatures or the regular onset of the rainy season, as the Kingdom remains subject to significant variations in temperatures and weather patterns from one year to another and from one period to another.

He urged citizens and relevant authorities to follow weather bulletins, updates, and warnings issued by the Jordan Meteorological Department, particularly as autumn progresses and the likelihood of transitional weather and unstable conditions increases. He affirmed that the department continues to monitor weather conditions around the clock and provide citizens and official authorities with the necessary weather information and warnings.