Abstract
This study considers the rainfall pattern in the Azraq basin in the Eastern part of Jordan. Azraq Basin is an extensive inland drainage system lying in the steppe and desert to the east of Jordan. The Azraq area is around 17,000 km2, which accounts for about 15% of the country’s total area, stretching from the lava peaks of Jebel Arab in southern Syria to Wadi Sirhan in northern Saudi Arabia. The Basin is considered part of the desert where the annual precipitation is estimated to be less than 150 mm/year and some areas receiving as little as 50 mm rainfall annually. Dry and hot climate during the summer and very cold winter with little rain falls in the form of thunderstorms and is similar to the continental climate of the desert climate where the big difference in temperature between day and night. The study aimed at assessing the rainy season’s conditions in the basin. The data for three rain gauges with monthly records of rainfall between (1960-2010) are used in the analysis. These stations are: Azraq, Um Alquttein and Deir Alkahf stations. The rainy seasons in the study area seem to get shorter and shifted in their start. The highest percentage of rain falls in the middle stage of the season (i.e., between December and February). This percentage is getting increased for Azraq and Deir Alkahf stations; however Um Alquttein shows a cyclic pattern of rainfall during the different seasons.
Highlights
Jordan as a country suffers from water shortage where the per capita water share is 145 m3/capita.year and over 90% of the country receives less than 200 mm of rainfall per annum (Raddad, 2005)
The study aimed at assessing the rainy seasons conditions in the basin using three meteorological stations with monthly rainfall records between 19602010 were used in the study
Regional climate including rainfall records that have been fluctuating at all stations with no significant
Summary
Jordan as a country suffers from water shortage where the per capita water share is 145 m3/capita.year and over 90% of the country receives less than 200 mm of rainfall per annum (Raddad, 2005). The Basin is considered part of the desert where the annual precipitation is estimated to be less than 150 mm/year and some areas receiving as little as 50 mm rainfall annually. Harrison (2009) indicates that the climate change major impact in Jordan is estimated to be increased drought.
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