With the beginning of the second half of January 2023, it is expected that the region will witness an air rise at a time when skiing lovers are waiting to practice their hobbies.
In this context, Father Elie Khneisser, a weather specialist, confirmed that “there is a warm wave originating from Libya and Egypt, which begins on Wednesday and continues until Monday.”
In an interview with the “Lebanese Debate”, Khneisser pointed out that “this warm wave, which we will be affected by, is usually followed by a polar depression, and if the situation continues like this, it is possible that we will witness polar waves at the end of January, especially since the Icelandic depression that is currently hitting America will renew its polar activity.” And it will gradually deviate towards Moscow, starting from the current 20 or 21, and therefore this scenario is in favor of our region.
And he added: “Yes, there is an 80% possibility of the return of rain and depressions coming from eastern Europe, because the Azorean high will hit western Europe, and this will divert the depressions from the Atlantic Ocean to Bulgaria, Turkey and Greece, and thus it will hit Lebanon and be in our favor accompanied by cold air masses, heavy rain and snow on the middle mountains.” .
And he added, “The polar highlands that dominated Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, reduced the severity of the rain, changed the direction of the depressions, and prevented the flow of polar winds towards Lebanon, and what we are waiting for today is the Icelandic depression, which will deviate according to the pressure lines towards Moscow, starting from the 22nd of this month, and it will be a good sign.” And the high pressure will be over western Europe, and this gives us a very high possibility of the return of depressions from the northern regions, accompanied by cold air masses, by the end of this month.
Will January end with a “winter” storm par excellence? Or a depression accompanied by cold air masses? Father Elie replied, “The depression comes from the northern countries, and according to the maps, if a polar descent occurs at the same time, and according to our expectations that it will happen, then yes, it is possible for Canon to bid us farewell in a Canonic winter weather.”
Is this winter season the worst that passes through Lebanon? Khneisser pointed out, to “two semi-seasons in the years 2014 and 2016, while in 2018 we witnessed the most rain that hit Lebanon during the years, but the snow was light and we did not witness polar descents.”
Father Eli pointed out, “What we are waiting for is the Icelandic scenario, even if it is delayed. For example, last year it began on January 17 and continued until the Annunciation with 6 or 7 snow storms and a significant drop in temperatures.”
And when do we lose hope in a promising winter season? He replied, “We lose him on February 20.”
