Climate Change Overview

Country Summary

This page presents high-level information for Jordan's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter).  Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Jordan's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.

The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan is a country in Western Asia dominated by arid deserts, the rift valley, and highlands and plains. Jordan is located about 80 km to the East of the Mediterranean Sea. Jordan is also characterized by a unique topographic nature, where the western part represents the world lowest valley that lies north–south between two mountain ranges with a length of about 400 km and a width that varies from 10 km in the North to 30 km in the South and elevation between 170 – 400 meters below Mean Sea Level (MSL). To the east of this mountain range a semi desert plateau extends to cover approximately 80% of the total area of the country. Jordan's population is over 10 million (2020). Its economy is largely dependent on trade and service-related activities. However, manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and construction activities in recent years have contributed significantly to the country’s economy. More than 80% of the country is unpopulated due to desert conditions, where annual precipitation falls under 50 millimeters. Aridity and water scarcity render Jordan environmentally sensitive to climate change. Jordan’s climate change adaptation priority sectors include, water, agriculture, land use, coastal areas management, health and tourism.