The essentials
When to go to Jordan, in brief
Spring and autumn: the sweet spot
March to May and September to November: 20-28°C, dry, flowers in spring. Perfect for Petra, Wadi Rum and the King's Highway.
The desert in spring or autumn
Wadi Rum is ideal outside summer: bearable days, cool nights. In July-August, the sand climbs to 37°C and beyond.
Dead Sea year-round
You can float even in winter, water rarely below 20°C. In July, Aqaba and the Dead Sea near 40°C, sometimes punishing.
Cool winter at altitude
Amman and Petra drop to 8-15°C by day, sometimes below zero at night. Snow possible on the heights and at Petra.
December-January rains
Most of the annual rainfall comes then, mostly in the west and north. Trails can be slippery.
Jerash Festival
Late July, arts, dance and music in the Roman ruins of Jerash. The big cultural event of the summer.
The verdict
The best periods
Mar-May, Sept-Nov
Spring and autumn: gentle heat, dry skies, bearable desert. The prime window for Petra and Wadi Rum. Book early.
Dec - Feb
Cool winter (8-15°C in Amman), possible rain, snow at altitude. Quieter sites, but short, cold days.
Jul - Aug
Intense heat, above 37°C in the desert and around 40°C at the Dead Sea and Aqaba. Walking Petra at midday is punishing.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
5-13°C
Cool, rain, snow possible
6-15°C
Cool, late winter
10-20°C
Mild, spring begins
13-25°C
Ideal, flowers
17-30°C
Dry, gentle heat
20-33°C
Hot, dry
22-36°C
Very hot, scorching desert
22-36°C
The hottest
20-32°C
Heat easing
16-28°C
Ideal, dry
11-22°C
Mild, pleasant
6-14°C
Cool, rain
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amman & north | Spring/autumn: 20-28°C | Dec-Jan: rain, snow possible | Ideal Mar-May, Sept-Nov |
| Petra | Spring/autumn: 25-30°C by day | Winter: 8-15°C, wet trails | Ideal spring/autumn |
| Wadi Rum (desert) | Spring/autumn: mild days, cool nights | Summer: 37°C; winter: nights below zero | Ideal Mar-May, Oct-Nov |
| Dead Sea & Aqaba | Mild winter, swimming year-round | Jul-Aug: around 40°C | Ideal outside Jul-Aug |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Jerash Festival
Arts, dance, music and literature in the Roman ruins of Jerash. The big cultural event founded by Queen Noor.
🇯🇴 Jerash
Ramadan
A month of fasting. Quieter restaurants by day, a festive mood at night. Site hours sometimes adjusted.
🇯🇴 Nationwide
Eid Al-Fitr
End-of-Ramadan celebration, three public-holiday days. Families gather, and sites can be busier with local visitors.
🇯🇴 Nationwide
Spring bloom
Hills and deserts fill with flowers after the winter rains. The most scenic season.
🇯🇴 North and center
Our analysis
Jordan rests on a shoulder-season rule: aim for spring or autumn. That is when Petra, Wadi Rum and the King’s Highway are best, neither crushed by heat nor hampered by winter rains.
Spring and autumn, the double window
From March to May and September to November, the climate hits its balance point: 20 to 28°C, dry skies, and a desert you can walk without suffering. In spring, the hills and desert fill with flowers after the winter rains. At Petra, the heat stays around 25-30°C by day, ideal for the long walks up to the Monastery. These two periods are the most popular: book flights and lodging two to three months ahead.
The summer trap and the winter nuance
From June to August, the desert climbs past 37°C, and both the Dead Sea and Aqaba near 40°C. Walking through Petra at midday becomes punishing. This is the time to avoid for the south and the interior, even if the evenings stay pleasant.
Winter deserves a nuance few anticipate. Amman and Petra drop to 8-15°C by day, sometimes below zero at night in Wadi Rum, and snow is not rare on the heights. My firm advice: the Dead Sea saves a winter trip, since you can float even in January, while the rest of the country calls for warm layers and short days.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Jordan? +
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November): 20-28°C, dry, bearable heat for walking Petra and sleeping in Wadi Rum.
What is the worst time to visit Jordan? +
July and August: intense heat, above 37°C in the desert and near 40°C at the Dead Sea. Walking Petra at midday becomes punishing.
When to visit Wadi Rum? +
In spring or autumn: mild days and cool nights. Avoid summer (37°C by day) and know that in winter, desert nights drop below zero.
Can you swim in the Dead Sea in winter? +
Yes: the water rarely drops below 20°C. You can float year-round. July-August, by contrast, are punishing there, around 40°C.
Does it snow in Jordan? +
Sometimes, in December-January, on the heights and at Petra or Amman. Most of the rain also falls then, mostly in the west and north.
Should you factor in Ramadan? +
Yes: in 2026 it runs from 17 February to 19 March. Quieter restaurants by day, a festive mood at night. Check site hours before booking.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026