Salalah: The Dhofar Governorate has been subjected to relentless rainfall throughout the Khareef season, a period characterized by the onset of the monsoon. This has resulted in a significant drop in temperatures, reaching as low as 28 degrees Celsius, and the emergence of fog on the mountainous terrains.
The Sultanate of Oman is presently experiencing the effects of various eastern waves, a meteorological phenomenon originating in tropical and subtropical regions. These waves are characterized by the presence of humid air masses and a slight decrease in atmospheric pressure, which can lead to rainfall and thunderstorms.
In the context of the Dhofar Khareef season this year, Ahmed bin Salem Ghawas, the Director of the Meteorology Department at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in Dhofar Governorate, has noted that this climatic condition has significantly increased rainfall. He further explained that the governorate is currently experiencing a higher intensity of rainfall compared to the typical seasonal rainfall patterns. This includes both continuous and intermittent drizzle, light rain, and thunderstorms, particularly in the desert regions.
Ghawas also highlighted that the autumn season is marked by a combination of continuous and intermittent drizzle, light rain, and reduced visibility, which can drop to less than 1,000 meters along the coast and to zero visibility in mountainous areas.
Low clouds also envelop the mountainous regions and coastal areas, where these clouds meet the mountain ranges, giving rise to dense fog observed on the peaks, and can ascend to a height of 200 feet above the ground in coastal locales.
He highlighted that the precipitation levels during the autumn season are notably higher in mountainous regions oriented towards the monsoon winds, in contrast to areas aligned parallel to these winds. Additionally, the velocity of the southern winds is amplified in both mountainous and desert terrains.
The Director of the Meteorology Department in Dhofar Governorate elucidated that the scientific term for the autumn phenomenon is "Monsoon," originating from the Arabic word "season," which was familiar to Arab and Omani sailors. This knowledge facilitated their navigation towards the Indian subcontinent during the summer months.
He emphasized that the primary driver of this phenomenon is the monsoon winds, which are generated by the significant seasonal high in the southern Indian Ocean, near the island of Madagascar in the southern hemisphere. This high-pressure system is referred to as the Mascarene High.
The Mascarene High leads to the southwest monsoon winds, which are south easterly in the southern hemisphere and shift to a southerwesterly direction upon crossing the equator towards the northern hemisphere. This shift is a consequence of the Earth's rotation on its axis and the geographical features of the Horn of Africa.
He further explained that the southwesterly winds cause the cold currents to ascend from the ocean floor near the coastlines of the governorate, resulting in a temperature disparity between the cold sea water and the land's temperature.
The disparity in temperature between the ocean and the terrestrial regions draws the monsoon winds towards the governorate, thereby transporting a substantial volume of water vapor. These warm monsoon winds, brimming with moisture, encounter the frigid waters of the sea, leading to the condensation of the water vapor. Consequently, the monsoon winds persist in their trajectory towards the mountains, resulting in a perpendicular collision with the mountainous terrain of Dhofar Governorate.
This interaction causes the air saturated with moisture to ascend to greater heights, thereby facilitating an increased condensation of water vapor. This process culminates in the formation of low clouds, which in turn precipitate drizzle and fog.
It is important to highlight that the autumn season, which commences astronomically on June 21 and extends until September 21, is characterized by overcast skies and precipitation, alongside moderate temperatures that progressively decrease in the elevated mountainous regions, enveloped in fog, and accompanied by light rainfall. This climatic condition renders Dhofar Governorate an attractive destination for both domestic and international visitors and tourists.
