Oman to welcome summer solstice, Dhofar's Khareef season on Saturday
Al Mukhtar Saif Al Saeedi, a member of Oman Astronomical Society, explained that this year's summer solstice will occur precisely at 6:42 AM Oman time on Saturday, 21 June. In Muscat Governorate, residents will experience the longest day of the year, with sunrise at 5:21 AM, the sun reaching its highest point at 12:09 PM, and sunset at 6:57 PM - resulting in a day length of 13 hours, 35 minutes, and 35 seconds. This phenomenon creates the longest daylight period and shortest night of the year across most Northern Hemisphere regions, including Europe, Asia, North America, and the Arctic Circle.
The summer solstice represents a significant astronomical event where the Northern Hemisphere experiences its maximum tilt toward the sun, while simultaneously marking the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere.
The summer solstice coincides with several notable natural phenomena in Oman. Astronomically, it signals the beginning of Dhofar's Khareef season (monsoon season) along the coastal regions from Dhalkut in the west to Mirbat in the east, when monsoon winds carry moisture-laden clouds from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
3 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Rains expected over Oman areas till August 21
Muscat: The Sultanate of Oman is likely to be affected by a trough of low pressure for five days from August 17 till August 21,2025, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said. The CAA said that the latest weather updates and analysis of the National Multi Hazard Early Warning Centre indicate that Oman will be affected by a trough of upper air with clouds advection over most of Oman governorates. There are chances of isolated rain of varying intensity and occasional thunderstorms over Al Wusta, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah, North Al Sharqiyah and parts of Al Dakhiliyah. Details of daily weather condition: Sunday 17 August 2025: Continuous clouds advection and chances of isolated rain, occasional thundershowers over Al Wusta, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah, and North Al Sharqiyah. The rainfall will intensify over Al Wusta, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah. Rainfall will be between 10-20 mm that may lead to the flow of some wadis. Fresh downdraft winds with speeds ranging between 10-25 knots (20- 50 km/h) leading to movement of unstable objects. Poor horizontal visibility during thunderstorms and rising dust due to downdraft winds are expected. The sea will be rough along the Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman coasts with a maximum wave height of 4 metres. On Monday, 18 August 2025, Continuous cloud advection and chances of isolated rain with thundershowers over Al Wusta, Dhofar, South Al Sharqiyah , North Al Sharqiyah and parts of Al Dakhiliyah. The rainfall will intensify over Al Wusta, Dhofar and South Al Sharqiyah. Rainfall will be between 15-35 mm that may lead to the flow of some wadis. Fresh downdraft winds with speeds ranging between 15-35 knots (28- 65 km/h) leading to movement of unstable objects expected. Poor horizontal visibility during thunderstorms and rising dust due to downdraft winds are likely. Rough sea along the coasts of Arabian Sea and the Sea of Oman expected with a maximum wave height of 4 metres. From Tuesday to Thursday, 19 to 21 August 2025, Continuous clouds advection and chances of isolated rain, thundershowers over Al Wusta, Dhofar expected with rainfall between 25-45 mm may lead to the flow of some wadis. Fresh downdraft winds with speeds ranging between 15-35 knots (28- 65 km/h) leading to movement of unstable objects. Poor horizontal visibility during thunderstorms and rising dust due to downdraft winds expected.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Times of Oman
Four rescued after boat capsizes near Daymaniyat Islands
Muscat: The Coast Guard Police Command successfully rescued three citizens after their boat capsized near the Daymaniyat Islands. The incident was caused by high waves and strong winds, said the authorities. A fourth person, an Omani fisherman, was also with the group and managed to swim to shore on his own after the boat overturned.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Times of Oman
Over 400,000 tourists visit Khareef Dhofar by end of July 2025
Salalah: The number of visitors to the Khareef Dhofar (monsoon) season from 21 June 2025 to 31 July 2025, reached approximately 442,100, a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024 when the number was 413,122. These are according to preliminary estimates from the National Centre for Statistics and Information. The preliminary statistics showed that the number of Omani visitors increased by 75.6% to 334,399. The number of visitors from GCC countries was 69,801, while visitors of other nationalities totaled 37,900. A total of 334,846 visitors arrived in Dhofar Governorate by land through the end of July 2025, while 107,254 visitors arrived via flights, an increase of 10.9% compared to those who arrived by air at the end of July 2024. It is worth noting that 95.3% of the visitors to Khareef Dhofar season through the end of July 2025 came between 1 July and 31 July, while 4.7% arrived between 21 June 2025 and 30 June 2025.
