Sub zero temperatures as cold wave sweeps Oman

Muscat:   The cold wave in Oman, which has brought temperatures down to sub-zero levels in the Hajar mountain range, is likely to continue for the coming weeks, according to the Meteorology Department.

The official added Jabal Shams and Jabal Al Akhdar had recorded temperatures of minus 1degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Ice sheets had formed from dew on plants, water taps and rocks, due to the drastic drop in the temperature.

Jabal Al Shams, the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula standing at 3,004 metres above sea level.

The official pointed out temperatures would continue to dip nationwide with the onset of winter and it would remain cold in the coming weeks.

Pictures of ice in both Jabal Shams and Al Akhdar, due to the cold spell, have gone viral on social media.

Ice sheets cover both Jabal Al Akhdar and Jabal Shams every year from mid-December to mid-January due to the drastic drop of temperature to sub-zero in the Hajar Mountains range.

Jamal Al Hatali, Jabal Shams resident, told Gulf News that his family was out for a bonfire to wrap up warm as it was freezing on Wednesday.

“I expect that Jabal Shams will be covered by snow in the coming weeks,” he said.

There will be mainly clear skies and relatively cold weather at night over most of Oman with chances of clouds advection and isolated rain along the coastal areas of the Arabian Sea.

Temperatures in Muscat and Seeb hover between 22 and 20 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, tourists have put up tents in Jabal Shams and Jabal Akdhar, to enjoy the freezing weather and the serene beauty of Jabal Shams. Other spots, like Muscat, Wahaiba sands, Wadi Bani Khalid, Khasab, Nizwa and Wadi Shab of Sur, are the other favourite destinations for foreign tourists. Oman has been allocated millions of riyals to build tourist projects to attract over 12 million tourists by 2020.