Climate of Oman

Oman lies on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula with the United Arab Emirates in the northwest, Saudi Arabia in the west and Yemen on the southwest. The central part of Oman where the main cities are located is covered by a vast gravel desert plain. Due to its geographical location and terrain, the climate of Oman is generally hot and dry in the barren interior and humid along the coast.

Summer begins in mid-April and lasts till October and very hot from May to August. During summer, temperature rises up to 130°F (54°C), and the coastal region gets high humidity. On the Al Batinah plain, summer temperatures seldom exceed 46° C with high humidity. A mild and temperate climate is found in the southern Dhofar region, which receives light monsoon rains between June and September each year with heavy fog across the hills. The mean summer temperature in Muscat is 33° C with the average annual rainfall of 100 mm, occurring mostly in the month of January. Rainfall in the mountains, particularly over Al Jabal al Akhdar is much higher and may reach 700 millimeters, while some parts of coastal region, especially close to Masirah island may receive no rainfall in an year. In general, the rest of the country experiences low and irregular rainfall.

The spring and autumn of Oman are warm, dry and pleasant, with maximum temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C. During the period of spring and summer, especially from March to august a hot, dust-laden wind called the Shamal blows, causing sandstorms.

The climate in Oman generally remains best and favorable from late September to early April. In winter, it is mild and pleasant with the temperature ranging between 15° C and 23° C. The day time is bright and sunny with a few scattered clouds. You can enjoy the soothing breeze at night gazing at the clear sky. It is advisable to use light cotton clothes throughout the year, while you can put on warm clothes for cooler winter evenings, mountain excursions and overworked air-conditioning in shops and restaurants.

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