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Oman
is hot and dry with temperatures from
18°C to 34°C (64°F to 93°F).
The average rainfall in the country
ranges from 76 to 102mm (3 to 4in)
annually.
However, there are climactic variations:
in the south along the coast, coconuts
are grown while in the northern
highlands, roses and grapes are
produced.
Summers are extremely hot, with coastal
temperatures reaching 46° C (115° F) and
those in the interior even higher.
The winters are quite warm and the
average annual temperature in Muscat is
29° C (84° F). The climate of the
coastal plain and mountains of Dhofar is
moderated by the monsoons that deposit
annually about 760 mm (about 30 in) of
rain on the south side of the mountains
and about 150 mm (about 6 in) along the
coast.
Parts of the Hajar Mountains receive up
to 460 mm of rains (18 in), while Muscat
receives less than 100 mm (4 in). Flash
floods can take place when sudden and
heavy rains run off the mountains
towards the valleys. In Oman's interior
summer winds cause large sandstorms
which in turns cause periodic droughts.
Monsoon winds can endanger shipping in
the south. |
