Jordan occupies a geographical zone where the Mediterranean climate transitions into desert. The country spans from 1854 meters above sea level at Jabal Umm ad Dami near Wadi Rum to 430.5 meters below sea level at the Dead Sea shoreline. This elevation range produces multiple climate zones within a territory of 89,342 square kilometers. Amman sits at approximately 1000 meters elevation. Aqaba sits at sea level on the Gulf of Aqaba. Petra sits at approximately 900 meters. These altitude differences create temperature variations of 10 to 15 degrees Celsius between locations on the same day.
Jordan's climate divides into two seasons rather than four. November through April constitutes winter. May through October constitutes summer. The Jordan Rift Valley running along the western border experiences subtropical conditions year-round. The eastern and southern regions comprising approximately 80 percent of Jordan's land area receive less than 120 millimeters of annual precipitation. Amman receives approximately 250 to 300 millimeters annually. Ajloun Highlands in the north receive up to 600 millimeters annually. Wadi Rum receives approximately 50 millimeters annually. Aqaba receives approximately 30 millimeters annually. Precipitation occurs almost exclusively between November and March.
March through May constitutes what travel literature calls spring. Daytime temperatures in Amman during March average 16 degrees Celsius with nighttime lows near 6 degrees Celsius. April averages 21 degrees daytime and 9 degrees nighttime. May averages 26 degrees daytime and 13 degrees nighttime. Rainfall probability decreases through this period. March sees approximately 40 millimeters in Amman. April sees approximately 18 millimeters. May sees approximately 5 millimeters. The Ajloun Highlands and areas around Jerash remain noticeably cooler with occasional rain into early May. Wildflowers bloom in northern Jordan and Dana Biosphere Reserve typically between late February and April depending on winter rainfall totals. Years with below-average winter precipitation produce limited blooms.
June through August represents peak summer heat. July and August produce the highest temperatures across all regions. Amman daytime temperatures during July and August average 32 degrees Celsius with nighttime lows near 20 degrees Celsius. Petra experiences similar daytime temperatures but cooler nights due to desert conditions. Wadi Rum regularly exceeds 40 degrees Celsius during July and August with recorded maximums above 45 degrees Celsius. Aqaba consistently reaches 38 to 42 degrees Celsius during these months. The Dead Sea area reaches 40 to 44 degrees Celsius. Rainfall across Jordan in June, July, and August totals less than 5 millimeters combined. Relative humidity in Amman drops to 30 to 40 percent. Aqaba maintains higher humidity between 40 and 60 percent due to Red Sea influence. June receives fewer visitors than July and August despite similar conditions.
September through November forms the second moderate period. September in Amman averages 29 degrees daytime and 17 degrees nighttime. October averages 24 degrees daytime and 13 degrees nighttime. November averages 18 degrees daytime and 9 degrees nighttime. Rainfall begins in late October or early November most years. October receives approximately 10 millimeters in Amman. November receives approximately 40 millimeters. Petra and Wadi Rum remain hot through September with daytime temperatures above 33 degrees Celsius. October brings more comfortable conditions to southern regions with temperatures between 26 and 29 degrees Celsius during the day. Aqaba water temperature in the Gulf of Aqaba remains between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius through November.
December through February constitutes winter. January is the coldest and wettest month across Jordan. Amman experiences daytime temperatures averaging 12 degrees Celsius and nighttime temperatures averaging 4 degrees Celsius in January. Temperatures occasionally drop below freezing at night in Amman between December and February. Snowfall occurs in Amman on average once or twice per winter but accumulation varies from trace amounts to 20 centimeters in heavy years. The 1992 snowstorm deposited approximately 40 centimeters in Amman. January 2022 saw approximately 15 centimeters. Ajloun and higher elevations receive snow more reliably. Petra experiences daytime winter temperatures between 13 and 15 degrees Celsius with nighttime lows between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius. Freezing temperatures occur overnight at Petra during December through February. Wadi Rum nighttime temperatures drop to 2 to 4 degrees Celsius during winter months while daytime temperatures range from 15 to 20 degrees Celsius. Aqaba maintains mild conditions with January daytime temperatures near 21 degrees Celsius and nighttime lows near 10 degrees Celsius.
January through March brings rain to northern and central Jordan. Amman receives approximately 70 millimeters in January, 60 millimeters in February, and 40 millimeters in March. Rainfall occurs as individual storm systems typically lasting one to three days separated by clear periods. Extended rainy periods of five days or more occur occasionally. Flash flooding affects Wadi Mujib and other wadis during heavy rainfall events. Mujib Nature Reserve closes during winter months due to flooding risk in the canyon system. The Jordan Meteorological Department issues flash flood warnings when rainfall intensity exceeds 20 millimeters per hour. Southern regions including Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba receive minimal winter precipitation. Petra receives approximately 30 millimeters total between December and February. Wadi Rum receives approximately 15 millimeters total during the same period.
Visitor statistics from Jordan's Ministry of Tourism show distinct seasonal patterns. March, April, October, and November account for approximately 55 percent of annual tourist arrivals. December through February account for approximately 15 percent. May through September account for approximately 30 percent. Petra receives approximately 600,000 to 800,000 visitors annually in recent years prior to global disruptions. Daily visitor counts at Petra peak between 2000 and 4000 during March and April. July and August see reduced numbers between 800 and 1500 daily. Hotels in Petra, Wadi Rum, and Aqaba raise rates during peak season defined as March 1 through May 31 and September 15 through November 15. Amman hotel rates remain more consistent year-round with smaller seasonal variations.
Walking conditions at Petra depend on temperature and precipitation. The main trail from the entrance to the Treasury covers approximately 1.2 kilometers through the Siq canyon. The climb to the Monastery involves approximately 850 steps over 2.4 kilometers with 300 meters elevation gain. Summer temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius create heat stress during these walks. The Petra Archaeological Park opens at 0600 year-round. Visitors arriving at opening during summer months complete walks before peak heat. September and October provide warm but manageable walking conditions with daytime temperatures between 26 and 32 degrees Celsius. March and April offer comfortable temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius but higher visitor density on trails. Winter months provide cool conditions between 13 and 18 degrees Celsius with minimal crowds but occasional trail closures during rainstorms.
Wadi Rum experiences extreme temperature variation between day and night year-round. May through September produces daytime temperatures requiring midday inactivity. Bedouin camp operators in Wadi Rum schedule desert activities before 1000 and after 1600 during summer months. October through April allows full-day desert activities. Night temperatures in Wadi Rum during December and January drop to 2 to 5 degrees Celsius requiring substantial bedding in traditional camps. Modern camps provide diesel heaters. Summer nights remain comfortable between 18 and 24 degrees Celsius. The sand in Wadi Rum becomes too hot to walk barefoot when daytime temperatures exceed 38 degrees Celsius typically occurring June through August. Jeep tours raise significant dust during dry months. Winter rain temporarily settles dust and intensifies red coloration of sand and rock formations.