If nature can be a tourism destination, then Al Hajar Mountains bring out one of the best attractions in Summer. The summer rains brought in by the local cloud formation by Al Hajar Mountains is a daily treat that is churned out every afternoon.
According to Oman Met Office, weather is the most predictable forecast and it works like clockwork.
Almost every day there is a chance for convective clouds development and isolated rain occasionally thundershowers associated with downdraft over Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas.
For the people who find joy in in rain (Pluviophile), the idea is to catch it at such mountains. People want to be there when it rains as by 3 pm clouds arrive and by 4 pm or 5 pm one can enjoy the downpour.
Driving in the rain is an experience on its own, but it is also one of the best stress relievers. “Rain refreshes the mind,” said one weekender planning for the trip to Al Dakhiliyah.
While Nizwa, Bahla, Al Hamra, Samayil and Izki all range between 40s and late 20s or 30s, Al Jabal Al Akhdhar enjoys a high in the 30s and Jabal Shams is hardly 20 and goes down to 17 at night.
RELAXING EFFECT ON MIND
The sound and smell of rain have an impact but there is more. According to bettersleep.com, “Along with the low air pressure, the air is also filled with a lot of water vapour. The combination of low air pressure and water vapour inadvertently lowers the oxygen levels in the air, making your brain feel tired. When it rains, negative ions are released and that leads to people feeling more relaxed and comfortable.”
According to studies, the sound of rain produces Alpha waves that makes people relax. Rain sound is also known as pink noise.
Sleep foundation.org defines Pink Noise as, “A sound that contains a random assortment of all the audible frequencies, with more power in the lower frequencies.” The pink noise is known to assist in deep sleep.
One factor is that with Al Hajar terrain, there is every chance for a flash flood across the wadis and precaution must be taken not to cross a flowing wadi.
WEATHER FORECAST
For this weekend, there are possibilities for dust rising over the desert areas and potential for low level clouds or fog at late night to early morning along parts of coastal areas of the Arabian Sea and Sea of Oman.
This weekend, Oman Met Office has cautioned about reduction in horizontal visibility, which might reduce during dust rising and fog formation and rain.
Strong downdraft is expected over Al Hajar Mountains and the adjoining areas, while sea is expected to be rough along the coastal areas of Arabian Sea.
Humidity in Muscat is expected to be around 55 per cent to 90 per cent and in Salalah humidity is higher ranging between 85 per cent to 95 per cent.
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