Jordan: Why does fog form in the summer in the Ajloun Mountains but not in the mountains of the capital, Amman?

Arab Weather - The Irbid and Ajloun regions in northern Jordan witness, almost daily, a noticeable buildup of low clouds during the summer, appearing as fog in the early morning hours over the mountainous heights of Ajloun Governorate, while the capital, Amman, remains sunny and fog-free at the same time. This contrast is due to geographical factors related to the presence of direct airways coming from the sea, without topographical obstacles that impede the advance of moist air inland.

Marj Ibn Amer Plain: A direct impact on cloud patterns in northern Jordan

This weather pattern is attributed to the absence of mountain ranges west of the northern regions of the Kingdom, specifically northern Palestine, where the Marj Ibn Amer plain extends from Haifa and Acre to the Afula and western Beisan regions. This low-lying area facilitates the flow of humid air from the sea toward the regions of Irbid, Ajloun, Daraa, and the Golan Heights, contributing to the formation of low clouds and fog on an almost daily basis.

Amman is drier: West Bank mountains block low clouds

In contrast, Amman is drier during the summer than the north of the Kingdom, due to the presence of high mountain ranges on the opposite side (the mountains of the West Bank, Palestine), such as the mountains of Ramallah and Jerusalem, which range in height from 800 to 1,000 meters. This terrain prevents humid winds and low clouds from reaching Amman, making the weather often sunny, unlike what happens in the northern highlands.

The density of vegetation is also linked to these factors, as areas such as Ajloun experience higher rainfall rates, which is reflected in the abundance of green vegetation, compared to areas west of the capital, Amman.