Muscat: The coasts of the North and South al Batinah governorates, and places around Hajar Mountains are expected to get heavy rains in the coming hours.
There are reports of heavy to moderate rains from Shinas and Khasab over the past few hours.
The Civil Defense and Ambulance Authority (CDAA) has called on everyone to be careful and not to risk crossing wadis, to stay away from low places, to follow safety instructions, and to follow bulletins issued by official authorities.
Thunderstorm warnings have been issued for Khasab, Bukha, Madha, Suhar, Sahah, Yanqul, Amerat, Rustaq, and Ibri for the coming hours.
Heavy rains accompanied by active winds and hail are likely to fall on the governorates of Musandam, North Al Batinah, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, South Al Batinah, Muscat, and Al Dakhiliyah between Sunday evening (4 pm) and Monday (10 am).
Motorists have been urged to drive safely in the Al Amerat area due to flowing wadis and flash floods.
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The sea wave height is currently moderate/rough (1.5-3.5) meters on the coasts of Musandam Governorate and the coasts of the Sea of Oman during the formation of thunderclouds accompanied by active descending winds.
Schools
The Ministry of Education has directed that all schools in all wilayats suspend their evening classes for Sunday as part of precautionary measures because of heavy rains predicted for later today in various governorates.
It has been also decided to suspend classes for Monday, in all public, private, and international schools in all governorates of the Sultanate of Oman, except for Al Wusta and Dhofar. Schools will resume on Tuesday.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) called on citizens and residents to exercise caution during thunderstorms, not to cross valleys, avoid low-lying places, and not to go to the sea during the warning period.
Alerts
Heavy rain accompanied by hailstones ranging between (30 - 60 mm) can lead to a flow of wadis, while active downward winds, speeds ranging between 15-35 knots (28-64 km/h)
Reduced horizontal visibility is expected during thunderstorms.
The sea waves will be moderate to rough (1.5-3.5 meters) on the coasts of Musandam Governorate and the coasts of the Sea of Oman due to the formation of thunderclouds accompanied by active descending winds.
The Sultanate of Oman is likely to experience an upper-air low-pressure system between February 11 and 14.
Anticipated weather conditions include thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rain accompanied by active downdraft winds and hail.
These conditions pose a risk of flash floods, particularly in Musandam, North al Batinah, South al Batinah, Al Dakhyliyah, Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, Muscat, North al Sharqhiyah, South al Sharqhiyah, and parts of Al Wusta governorates.
The intensity of the weather system is expected to peak on Monday with thunderstorms and heavy to very heavy rainfall (30-100 mm) associated with downdraft winds and hail.
The weather system is anticipated to gradually weaken from Wednesday morning.
Authorities have advised all residents to take precautions during rainfall and flash floods.
Individuals planning maritime activities are urged to check visibility and sea conditions beforehand and to closely follow weather bulletins and reports issued by relevant authorities.
Guidelines
Schools have been urged to take necessary precautions, which include isolating information and communications technology systems and ensuring they are protected from expected risks, ensuring that devices are at a high and safe level in case of high water levels, taking backup copies of systems and databases, and keeping them in a safe place, closing data center devices in governorates where heavy rain is expected.
Schools should monitor weather forecasts and updates to ensure that the necessary security precautions.
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