Some of the wilayats of the governorates of Al Dhahirah, Al Dakhiliyah, South and North Al Sharqiyah witnessed thunderstorms of varying intensity on Tuesday night, and it is likely to continue until it begins to gradually weaken later.
According to Oman Met Office, cloud activity is expected on Wednesday afternoon as well over large parts of the Hajar Mountains, extending during the evening over the governorates of South and North Sharqiya and Al Wusta.
The weather forecast for Wednesday stated high and medium clouds advection over most of the governorates with chance of isolated rain over Musandam, Al Dhahira, Al Buraimi and Dhofar occasionally thundershowers associated with downdraft winds over governorates of South Al Sharqiya, North Al Sharqiya and over the mountains side of Muscat, al Dakhylia, South AL-Batinah and North AL-Batinah governorates. There is also a chance for dust rising due to strong northwesterly winds over desert and open areas.
There are also chances of low level clouds or fog patches at late night or early morning over parts of South Al Sharqiya, Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates and parts of Oman Sea coast.
Areas around Al Hajar Mountains witnessed thunderclouds churning out thunderbolts and lightning. Lightening bolt had struck a house in Nizwa damaging the top corner of the terrace. Heavy rains were reported in north of Ibra, Manah, while strong thunderstorms accompanied by hail was experienced in Sinaw and Al Mudhaibi. Al Amerat in the Muscat Governorate received strong rains which soon had the wadis flowing.
An interesting feature of the current weather in relation to wind is that Al Hamra experienced a mild whirlwind and for the second time in a row a tornado was seen in Jalan.
According to Oman Met Office, rainfall is expected to range between 20 mm to 60 millimeters. The speed of downdrafts is expected to be 15 to 50 Kt.
Precautions have to be taken not to cross flowing wadis and to stay away from low lying areas.
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