Hail and heavy rain lash parts of Oman

Muscat, Oct 26
Heavy convective clouds brought intense hail, active winds and widespread rainfall to parts of Oman on Monday as a low-pressure trough moved across the Sultanate of Oman.
Wadi Al Jizzi in Suhar experienced severe hail, while Al Rustaq saw rainwater flow rapidly from local streams into main wadis. According to the Directorate General of Meteorology at the Civil Aviation Authority, deep thunderstorm cells formed over the mountains of Al Batinah North and Al Dhahirah — particularly affecting Al Suwaiq and Yanqul — bringing varying intensities of rain and strong descending winds. In Muscat, skies remained heavily overcast, with Al Amerat receiving scattered showers.
“Clouds expanded to the coasts of Al Khabourah, Saham, Al Suwaiq and Suhar, bringing mainly light rain,” a weather forecaster told the Observer. “While clouds also expanded towards Al Amerat, they have been weakening, likely bringing only light drizzle.” The forecaster added that weather radar confirmed hail over the mountainous areas of Saham and Suhar.
Authorities urged the public to exercise caution, particularly near wadi beds and on mountain roads. Convective cloud activity was expected to continue over Al Hajar Mountains into the evening, with scattered, occasionally thundery rain and active downburst winds persisting across Al Batinah North, Al Batinah South, northern Al Dakhiliyah and Al Sharqiyah North, and a high likelihood of expanding to adjacent areas. Meteorologists expect the system to influence the region until Wednesday.
Tuesday’s forecast is for generally clear skies across most governorates with high cloud cover. Convective clouds are expected to re-form over Al Hajar Mountains and the Sea of Oman coast by afternoon, bringing isolated rain and thunderstorms with downdraft winds before extending towards desert areas by evening. Late-night and early-morning fog or low clouds are expected along the Arabian Sea and Sea of Oman coasts, as well as parts of Al Dhahirah.
Light to moderate easterly to northeasterly winds will blow along the Sea of Oman coast, becoming light and variable overnight, while southwesterly winds will prevail along the Arabian Sea coast and the remaining governorates will see light to moderate southeasterly breezes.