Rare snowstorm closes roads, schools, businesses in Jordan

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — A rare winter storm on Thursday dumped up to 4 inches of snow in parts of Jordan, closing roads, schools and businesses.
The director of the state meteorology department, Abdul-Halim abu-Hazeem, said more snow was expected during the day in several areas of the kingdom.

Temperatures dropped below 32 degrees F during Thursday's snowfall. Parents and children played with the snow around their houses while plows worked to clear Amman's hilly streets. Most banks and some government offices also closed in Amman within hours of opening Thursday.

An airport official said air traffic was unaffected by the storm, which contained winds of up to 50 mph.

Police spokesman Maj. Bashir al-Da'ajah said that approximately 100 traffic accidents were recorded on Thursday, including a Saudi bus that overturned near the northeastern city of Zarqa, injuring 12 passengers.

The Middle East is accustomed to mild winters, although big storms have occasionally battered the region. Last year, up to1.6 feet of snow fell in western and northern parts of Jordan.

In 2004, Jordan received up to three feet of snow in what was described as the kingdom's worst snowstorm since 1950.

Weak tornado touches down in northeast Ohio; buildings, power lines damaged

ELYRIA, Ohio (AP) — A small tornado touched down briefly near a shopping mall in northeast Ohio, ripping siding from an office supply store, flattening residential garages and forcing some schools to cancel classes because of a power outage.
No injuries were reported from the tornado, which struck Wednesday evening. Elyria is about 25 miles west of Cleveland.

The tornado was weak and on the ground only a few minutes, said Jim Kosarik, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Cleveland.

Investigators will have to assess the damage to determine wind speed, said NWS meteorologist Mike Abair.

Strong winds downed power lines and trees, and tossed a shopping cart through the window of an empty building, said Lt. Bob Krugman of the Elyria Fire Department.

Classes were canceled at local schools because power was out and officials didn't know when it would be restored, school board member Kathryn Carpus said.

Very intense tropical cyclone Indlala