From the ancient lands of Petra to the delicious local food to the mystical desert of Wadi Rum, there's no doubt that a trip to Jordan will be an unforgettable adventure. But when exactly is the best time to plan your trip? The weather in Jordan can be quite extreme and it tends to be hot during the day and cold at night. In desert areas, expect it to be extremely hot during the day and freezing at night.
When is the best time of year to visit Jordan?
Jordan is a year-round destination with diverse landscapes that experience quite different climates and weather conditions. This means that places like the Dead Sea coast are warm and sunny all year round, while the capital city of Amman sees more extreme weather with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time of year to visit Jordan is either spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). Travelling during the summer months (June to August) can be challenging for those not accustomed to the heat as temperatures are known to top 40°F in some areas of the country like the Gulf of Aqaba. Spring and autumn experience pleasant daytime highs and cool nights that are ideal for exploring places like Petra and Wadi Rum without getting scorched by the desert sun. It is busier during these times, but time your visit around the shoulder seasons and you should just miss the big crowds.
Weather in Jordan
Jordan is a fairly small country. Although the majority of it is desert, there are still varying and distinct climate zones – ranging from a Mediterranean climate in the west to a desert climate in the south-east – and four distinct seasons. The weather can be extreme, particularly in desert areas like Wadi Rum, so expect it to be extremely hot during the day and cold (or freezing during winter!) at night. You might not suspect it, but Jordan experiences very cold winters and it often snows in parts of the country with an altitude of 1000 meters and above (including Amman) so you'll need to bring plenty of warm layers to rug up. Annual rainfall is low with an average of 250 and 450 millimetres (10 to 18 inches) which mostly falls in the north-western parts of the country. Sunshine is plentiful throughout the year with an annual average of 300 days.
Average temperatures in Amman
To give you an idea of temperatures below are the monthly highs and lows in Amman, the capital of Jordan.
|
MONTH |
AVERAGE HIGH (°C) |
AVERAGE LOW (°C) |
|
January |
4 |
13 |
|
February |
5 |
14 |
|
March |
7 |
18 |
|
April |
11 |
23 |
| May | 15 | 28 |
| June | 18 | 31 |
| July | 20 | 32 |
| August | 20 | 33 |
| September | 18 | 31 |
| October | 15 | 27 |
| November | 10 | 20 |
| December | 6 | 15 |
Visiting Jordan in spring (March-May)
Best for: hiking, wildflowers, experiencing local culture during Ramadan
If you're coming to Jordan to explore the great outdoors, spring is one of the best times to do it. Daytime temperatures average a comfortable 18-28°C and the chill of winter nights has lifted. The rainy season usually ends around late March or early April which makes it a great time to go hiking. Not only are most of the trails now open, but it's also one of the most picturesque seasons in Jordan as wildflowers bloom all over the valleys, hills and even in the desert.
Another drawcard of visiting in spring is Ramadan (although the exact dates change every year depending on the crescent moon). During this month-long religious event, Muslims give up food and drink from dawn till dusk to practise spiritual discipline and become closer with God. The days might be sleepier than usual during Ramadan, but after sunset, the streets come alive and restaurants and cafes are buzzing as people stay up later to eat and drink. Visiting Jordan during Ramadan is a wonderful opportunity to learn about and experience the local culture.
Visiting Jordan in summer (June-August)
Best for: festivals, smaller crowds
Summer is sizzling hot throughout Jordan and it's also very dry which makes it feel even hotter. Daytime highs in Amman average 31-33°C, but it's much hotter in places like the Dead Sea coast and in the Valley of Jordan where highs reach 38-42 °C (100-108 °F) in August. Temperatures in the coastal city of Aqaba have been known to exceed a scorching 45°. While it's not a great time for hiking or exploring the desert unless you're experienced and prepared for the heat, summer is a great time to visit popular sites like Petra as they're much quieter around this time of year. It's also an amazing time of year for festivals and events throughout the country including the Jerash Festival for Culture and Art at the end of July which celebrates the best of Jordanian arts, music, culture, literature and food.
Visiting Jordan in autumn (September-November)
Best for: spending time along the coast, diving
Like spring, autumn is considered to be one of the best times to visit Jordan in terms of weather. Daytime highs linger at 31°C in September and taper down to around 20°C by November, while nights are cool, but not cold. The first rains fall in October following a scorching summer and the valleys and hills turn green again, so it's a good time to do walks and hikes, or explore Wadi Rum. October is also a great time to embrace your inner beach bum and go swimming (or should we say, floating) in the Dead Sea. The intense summer heat has dropped considerably by October while water temperatures are a bath-like 30°C. These weather conditions attract more tourists so just be prepared for slightly higher prices and queues outside popular sites. If you're into diving, October boasts some of the best conditions of the year with excellent visibility, warm water temperatures and abundant marine life including turtles and eagle rays.
Visiting Jordan in winter (December-February)
Best for: few tourists, empty beaches, enjoying Jordanian hospitality
Jordan can get very chilly in winter, but it doesn't mean you shouldn't go – you just need to be prepared! Winter is low season and if you are willing to brave the cold, you'll get to experience sites like Petra without throngs of tourists lining up to enter or take photos. It's quite a magical experience walking around this ancient city when it's super quiet as it adds another layer of mystery to the place. If you want to go hiking in Wadi Mujib or other trails near water you should avoid going in winter as some of the trails will be closed due to the risk of flash flooding (most of the country's annual rainfall occurs in winter and early spring). However, if you're heading to the Red Sea or the Dead Sea you'll get to enjoy the beaches in solitude. It won't be hot, but air temperatures average a pleasant 20-25°C and if you're coming from Europe to escape the winter, this will be a much welcome reprieve!
The cold weather is also a great excuse to cosy up in coffee shops and restaurants to experience the amazing hospitality of Jordanians and their delicious cuisine. Warm up with a mint tea or cup of coffee and tuck into warm khubz (pita bread) and sweet treats while people watching in Amman, explore the local souks or spend the evenings learning how to make falafels, hummus, mansaf and other traditional dishes at a cooking class.
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