Changes in weather to affect Oman this weekend

Muscat: There are chances of light rain, hail, landfall variation and occasional thundershowers in the Sultanate this weekend.

The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) has issued a statement about the changes in weather condition that are likely to affect the Sultanate between March 20 and 23.

“The weather analysis in the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre indicates that a trough of low pressure (Al Rahma Trough) will affect the Sultanate from March 20 to March 23, 2020. The peak of the trough will be starting from Saturday evening until Sunday,” the statement read.

PACA also added that “there will be chances of landfall variation, heavy to light rain and occasional thundershowers with fresh wind and chances of hail fall over governorates of Musandam, Al Buraimi, North Al Batinah, South Al Batinah, Al Dakhliya, Muscat, North Al Sharqiya, South Al Sharqiya and parts of Al Wusta and Dhofar.”

They continued saying that it will be associated with fresh southwesterly wind over Al Wusta and Dhofar governorates during Friday and Saturday (March 20 – 21, 2020). “This will cause raising dust, followed by fresh northwesterly wind over northern governorates of the Sultanate,” the statement read.

The state of the sea will be rough to moderate waves over most of the coastal areas of the Sultanate, with the maximum wave height varying between 2-3 metres.

The PACA has advised all citizens and residents to take precautions during rain and while crossing wadis. “Check the visibility and sea state before sailing and follow the instruction of the Supreme Committee for dealing with coronavirus (COVID-19) to stay home and never leave unless it is necessary,” PACA has said.