Muscat: A humongous Roll Cloud appeared in the sky of the Mukhaizna region in the wilayat of Haima in Al Wusta Goveronorate on Tuesday morning.
The Roll Cloud is also known as Morning Glory Cloud.
According to Oman Met Office weather forecaster, this has been experienced before in 2014 and 2015.
“It usually occurs in the desert area between Adam, Dakhiliyah Governorate and Dhofar Governorate as well as seen in Southern Sharqiya coastal area. A Roll Cloud takes place due to a combination of elements such as warm and cold air, moisture and the sudden change in pressure,” explained Jaiffer al Busaidy, Weatger Forecaster at Oman Met Office.
He explained that this form of cloud does not bring any rain instead it stays for a while and then disappears because of the high temperature.
“This can also occur during winter and summer,” he noted.
According to the definition by SKYbrary Aviation Safety, Roll Cloud occurs with strong inversion conditions with a shallow layer of colder air moving under warm air.
“The warm air is lifted up ahead of the leading edge of the cold air and with enough moisture present, a cloud is formed. The air then rolls down behind the leading edge giving the roll appearance.,” it states.
Haima is coincidentally experiencing the maximum temperature in the Sulranate of Oman, which is a maximum of 44 degrees Celsius and a low of 29 degrees Celsius.
Oman Met Office had already forecast about the chances of low level cloud and fog patches over parts of governorates of south Al Sharqiya, Al Wusta and Dhofar, and similar weather conditions are expected on Wednesday as well.
Over the coastal areas of Oman Sea, winds are expected to be northeasterly light to moderate becoming variable light at night, and over the rest of the governorates winds will be westerly to northwesterly light to moderate occasionally fresh over desert and open areas, while along coastal areas of Arabian Sea winds will be southerly to southwesterly moderate occasionally fresh.
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