Met issues heavy rainfall alert across several governorates

Muscat: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued Weather Alert No. 3, warning of heavy rainfall and thunderstorms affecting several governorates of the Sultanate from Thursday evening, December 18, until Friday evening, December 19, 2025.

According to the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center, the alert comes amid expectations of heavy thunderstorm activity accompanied by strong downdraft winds over Musandam Governorate during Thursday. Forecast rainfall amounts in Musandam are expected to range between 20 and 60 millimetres, which may lead to flash floods and the flow of wadis.

The authority also indicated a chance of isolated rain and thundershowers affecting Al Buraimi, Al Dhahirah, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Dakhiliyah and Muscat governorates from Thursday evening through Friday evening. Rainfall in these areas is expected to range between 10 and 40 millimetres, with the possibility of flash floods, wadi flows and fresh downdraft winds.

Further rainfall activity is forecast over North and South Al Sharqiyah and parts of Al Wusta, where isolated thundershowers could also result in occasional flash flooding and wadi flows.

The CAA highlighted several associated weather risks, including reduced horizontal visibility during thundershowers, active downdraft winds with speeds ranging from 15 to 35 knots (28 to 64 kilometres per hour), and a rise in sea state along Musandam and Oman Sea coasts, with wave heights expected between 2 and 3.5 metres.

In an extended outlook, the authority noted that unsettled weather conditions may continue into Saturday, December 20, with cloud formation and scattered rainfall at times over Musandam and parts of the Oman Sea coast, alongside continued risks of wadi flows and active downdraft winds.

The Civil Aviation Authority has urged the public to take necessary precautions during the alert period, advising against crossing wadis, avoiding low-lying areas and refraining from sailing activities while weather conditions remain unstable.