Gulf | Oman
Cold spell in Oman as mountain ranges experience snowfall
The Meteorological Department in Muscat on Wednesday confirmed that snow fell on the mountain ranges in Oman's northeastern and northwestern regions two days ago.
- By Sunil K. Vaidya, Bureau chief
- Published: 19:14 February 6, 2008
- Snow covered plants in Hamraa wilayat in the Dhakhliya region.
- Image Credit: Supplied Picture
Muscat: The Meteorological Department in Muscat on Wednesday confirmed that snow fell on the mountain ranges in Oman's northeastern and northwestern regions two days ago.
"Very little snow fell but temperatures dropped to -4 degree Celsius in Jebel Shams," Abdullah of Meteorological Office told Gulf News on Wednesday.
Abdullah also forecast that the cold spell would continue in Oman for three more days.
"It is not usual [to have] cold weather but it can get worse," he opined. Abdullah, who gave only his first name, said that cold wind from Iran had made the mercury dip in the country.
The minimum temperature in Muscat has gone down to 10 degree Celsius but the weatherman ruled out that it could drop to sub-10 level in the capital area.
According to a report in the Oman Arabic daily, snow also fell in Hamra Wilayat near Jebel Akdhar (Green Mountain), as temperatures dropped below zero in this picturesque tourist spot.
The daily claimed that it snowed heavily in the mountain villages of Jebel Shams, Al Jabal Al Sharqi, Riyadh Al Jabal Farm, Al Ghaleel, Al Al'eina and all areas of Al Jabal Al Akhdhar.
Some parts of the Dhakhiliyah region also received light rains as cold winds forced residents indoors.
A large area of Yasab village, located on the Wadi Asshatin mountains in the Wilayat of Rustaq, was also enveloped in snow.
Popular locations
- Jebel Shams, which in Arabic means 'Mountain of Sun", is located in northeastern Oman.It is the highest mountain of the country and part of Al Hajar Mountains range. It is a popular sightseeing area located 240 km from Muscat.In the summer, the temperature is around 20 degrees C and in the winter it drops just above 0 degreesC.
- The Jebel Akhdar which is part of the Al Hajar Mountains range in Oman, extends about 300 km northwest to southeast, between 50-100 km inland from the Gulf of Oman coast. It is one of Oman's most spectacular tourist area.
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