Oman has a subtropical dry, hot desert climate with little rainfall and searing temperatures in the summer months.

The summer months in Oman from May until October are the hottest. Temperatures in the 40’s or even higher are not at all uncommon in July and August. The average summer temperature in Muscat is around 33 degrees, but the strong desert wind from the Empty Quarter to the west, known as the Gharbi, can raise temperature by up to 6 degrees.

Winter temperatures are mild and pleasant, ranging between 18 and 26 degrees. The rain in coastal Oman, such as it is, falls in these winter months. Rainfall in the mountains is much higher, especially over Jebel Akhdar, fuelling the wadis.

One thing to bear in mind in Oman is the big temperature differences between day and night; especially in the desert and mountains where it can feel very cold indeed once the sun has set.

The Dhofar region in the far south of Oman has a monsoonal climate, which means heavy downpours usually in the afternoon and warm winds from the Southwest and the Indian Ocean between June and September. The weather can also be quite foggy at this time of year. This region is popular with Omani holidaymakers who head south to experience the rainfall!

Occasionally a cyclone will hit landfall in Oman in the summer months.