Why is this Low Pressure System different?

The aerial picture on Thursday evening showed the flow of clouds over most of the governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, with cumulus clouds forming and scattered rain falling in the South Al Sharqiyah Governorate and parts of the Al Wusta and Dhofar Governorates.

By Friday noon, there was change in the atmosphere. Thunder-cell activity continued in parts of Al Dhahirah Governorate, with cumulonimbus clouds forming over the Hajar Mountains and chances of rain of varying intensity, sometimes thunderstorms, accompanied by active downward winds and hail.

The Sultanate of Oman has been experiencing a series of low pressure systems. The weather experts at the Oman Met Office said this is normal during the winter season but maybe this year it has been a bit late.

This weekend’s low pressure system is heading from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea. The description the weather forecasters have used is, “Heavy to very heavy rainfall.”

“This low pressure is different from the previous ones because we are expecting to see 30 to 150mm. The system is moving from west to east and it is going to have an impact more than the other low pressure systems because of the quantity of rainfall,” explained weather forecaster Bushra al Saadi from The National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Centre.

“We will begin to see the impact from Friday evening onwards. It is expected to begin from Musandam, will reach North Al Batinah, Al Dhahira, Buraimi, South Al Batinah, Dakhiliya, Muscat, South and North Al Sharqiyah. It will move on gradually and the system will end on Sunday,” she noted.

The three day experience of low pressure is expected to bring in torrential flow of wadis, according to weather forecaster by Saturday.

“The land is already saturated due to the recent rains,” she pointed out.

Clouds of varying height moved over the governorates of Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, North Al Sharqiyah, South Al Sharqiyah, and Dhofar east/southeast.

Scattered cumulus clouds had formed and flowed over the Wusta and Dhofar deserts, with chances of scattered rain.

Thundershowers and hailstones are expected over the governorates of Musandam, Buraimi, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Muscat, Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, North Al Sharqiyah, and South Al Batinah.

“The weather analysis will change from day to day. The wind has to be kept in mind as it could play a significant role and that is why it has to be monitored. Active winds will impact unstable objects,” said Al Saadi explaining the active winds 15-45 knots lead to the rise of dirt and dust.

Sea wave height ranges from 2 to 3 meters on most coasts and during thunder cloud activity on Saturday, March 9, 2024.

“The fishermen should not approach the sea during this period as the sea is expected to be moderate to rough resulting in high waves,” she advised.

On Sunday, March 10th, rainfall of varying intensity 30-50 mm is expected, which could also bring in thundershowers, may lead to the flow of wadis over the governorates of Al- Buraimi, North Al- Batinah, South Al- Batinah, Muscat, Al- Dhahirah, Al- Dakhiliyah, North Al- Sharqiyah, and South Al- Sharqiyah.