Muscat: A low-pressure system developing over the Arabian Sea has been classified as a tropical depression, prompting the Oman Met Office to closely monitor its progress due to potential impacts expected midweek.
Speaking to the Observer on Saturday, a weather expert at the Met Office stated, “The timing of the low-pressure system remains uncertain. Currently, we anticipate it could affect the region on Monday evening or Tuesday morning.
We are monitoring it closely.” As of the latest reports, the wind speed at the centre of the depression is between 20 and 25 knots, with the system located 950 km from Oman’s coast.
The nearest rain clouds are situated 520 kilometres away. The system is moving westward towards the coasts of Dhofar and the Gulf of Aden, with coordinates of 16 degrees north and 66.5 degrees east.
On Tuesday, October 15, the forecast predicts continuous cloud formation, with varying intensity rain and occasional thunderstorms expected across Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates, as well as Muscat, Al Batinah South, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North.
The Oman Met Office estimates rainfall between 30 to 60 mm for Dhofar and Al Wusta, along with Muscat, Al Batinah South, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North, which could lead to flash floods and flowing wadis.
Additionally, fresh downdraft winds are expected, with speeds ranging from 15 to 20 knots (28 to 37 km/h). Thunderstorms may result in decreased horizontal visibility and rising dust due to downdraft winds.
The sea is forecasted to be moderate along the Arabian Sea coasts, with wave heights reaching up to 2.0 metres.
The weather system’s effects are anticipated to continue on October 16-17, with ongoing cloud formation and varying intensity rain, alongside the possibility of thunderstorms over Dhofar, Al Wusta, Al Batinah South, Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North. Expected rainfall during this period is projected to be between 20 and 40 mm, contributing to the flow of wadis.
Fresh downdraft winds will persist at speeds between 15 and 20 knots (28 to 37 km/h).
Meanwhile, cumulus cloud activity continues over parts of Al Hajar Mountains, with the chance of scattered rain. The wilayats of Al Awabi and Nakhal in Al Batinah South Governorate witnessed heavy to moderate rainfall on Friday. Rainfall in Al Awabi was concentrated in the centre of the wilayat and the villages of Al Rami, Al Walija, Tawi Al Sayh, Al Rajmah, Falaj Bani Khazir, Al Subaikha and a number of villages in Wadi Bani Kharous. Rainfall in the Wilayat of Nakhal was concentrated in the villages near the centre of the wilayat and in the villages of Wadi Mustal and Al Madrah.
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