Tuesday, December 21, will mark the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere and the start of marbaniyeh, the local name given to the 40 coldest days of winter, according to Astronomer Imad Mujahed of the Wadi Rum Observatory.
Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Tuesday, Mujahed said that following the first day of winter, days will start to become longer and nights shorter, until they become equal again on March 20, which marks the spring equinox in the northern hemisphere.
“Multiple depressions, very cold weather and dry easterly winds are characteristics of marbaniyeh, during which several frost spells take hold of the country due to the low temperatures and very cold winds,” he added.
Source: Jordan News Agency