Weather warning: Stay alert as Al Furat Trough sweeps across the region

MUSCAT: Oman is currently bracing for a significant weather system as the National Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center tracks a low-pressure trough, officially identified in regional alerts as the Al Furat system. Meteorologists expect the heaviest impact to be felt across the governorates of South Ash Sharqiyah, Al Wusta, and Dhofar, with heavy rainfall and potential thundershowers forecast through Thursday morning, April 2, 2026. The public has been urged to remain vigilant, as these conditions are likely to trigger flash floods in wadis and significantly reduce horizontal visibility, leading to the suspension of in-person classes in several affected regions.

In addition to the heavy precipitation, strong winds with gusts reaching up to 55 km/h are anticipated in several regions, creating choppy sea conditions with waves potentially reaching three meters. The Civil Aviation Authority has advised fishermen and mariners to avoid heading to sea during this period, especially as cloud activity extends from the northern governorates down to Dhofar. The Ministry of Education has already shifted schools to distance learning in Muscat, Al Dakhiliyah, and the Sharqiyah regions to ensure student safety as the trough intensifies.

Meanwhile, in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the National Centre for Meteorology indicates that April is set to be wetter than average across much of the Kingdom. Widespread rainfall is expected to continue through the first week of the month, with particularly heavy showers forecast for the Eastern Province, Makkah, and Madinah. According to NCM spokesman Hussain Al Qahtani, this increased precipitation may be accompanied by a slight rise in regional temperatures, which are projected to reach up to one degree Celsius above seasonal norms in certain areas. Residents are advised to stay updated via official bulletins and exercise caution during these periods of unstable weather.