Meteorology in Oman

Weather and Climate conditions impose significant impacts on a wide range of man's activities and on the human environment. Meteorological services are designed to mitigate the adverse effects of such conditions and to enhance economic and social efficiency in the presence of these conditions. It is important to recognize that the existence of such impacts is a necessity - but not a sufficient condition for these services to achieve positive results.

Meteorological services consist in large measure of the provision of weather and climate information to a broad spectrum of individuals and organizations. This information takes a variety of forms. Most frequently it appears in the form of statistical summaries of historical data or indices derived from such data or as forecasts on various time scales. Weather and climate information possesses no intrinsic value in an economic or social sense. It acquires value through its influence on the decisions made by recipients of the information (the users or decision makers).

The Meteorological Service in Oman was established in 1973 with the official opening of Muscat International Airport. During that period it was strictly providing services only to aviation due to the limited type of equipment and lack of personnel. Having joined the WMO in 1975 the Meteorology in Oman progressed further by expanding its network of stations and increased the services to cater for other Met applications. Now there are 29 Meteorological stations spread all over the Sultanate with the main Forecasting Center at Muscat International Airport. A number of local personnel were given specialised and professional training and are performing duties in responsible positions.

The Equipment that are available with Meteorological Department ranges from simple thermometer for taking ambient air temperature to sophisticated satellite ground receiving units for monitoring severe weather or other meteorological parameters.