Low pressure may advance to northern parts of Sultanate

The Meteorological Office of Oman is silently observing the development and direction of the low pressure currently under the tropical weather outlook for the North Indian Ocean, specifically over the Arabian Sea.

“The next 24 to 48 hours will tell us how the system is going to shape up. The model shows that there could be some fluctuations in the forecasting of the system,” said the weather forecaster at Oman Met Office.

“We are not sure what the development will be. Some models indicate that it will go to the coastal line of Pakistan and diminish once inland. Some other models indicate that it will head to Pakistan and then come towards northern parts of Oman. Right now it is only classified as area of low pressure,” he said.

The remnant of the cyclonic storm ‘Gulab’ laid as well marked low pressure area over South Gujarat region and adjoin Gulf of Khambhat on Wednesday. The next 24 hours the weather experts in Oman will be monitoring closely to see if there is any increase in the wind speed. Currently the system is over the Arabian Sea.

The weather expert also pointed out that while the weather experience in Al Hajar areas are local cloud formations, parts of Muscat has been experiencing high clouds due to advection.

“The system is too far yet,” pointed out the weather expert who said they will compare all the models to understand the system better. The probability has been indicated but it is best to wait and watch, said the expert.

According to the India Meteorological Department, it is very likely to move west to northwestwards, emerge into northeast Arabian Sea and intensify into a depression by September 30th morning. “Then it is very likely to move further west-northwestwards and intensify into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours. Thereafter it is likely to continue move west-northwestwards close to Pakistan – Makran coasts,” it stated.

Meanwhile, clear to partly cloudy skies are expected along the coastal areas of Dhofar Governorate and adjoining mountains. Mainly clear skies over the rest of the Sultanate are expected with chance of medium and high clouds. Chance of convective clouds formation and rain occasionally thundershowers and fresh wind will continue over Al Hajar Mountains and adjoining areas towards afternoon and evening. Chance of late night to early morning low level clouds or fog patches are expected along the coastal areas of Arabian and Oman Sea.