Pictures of ice in Jabal Al Akdhar, which is part of Oman’s Al Hajar Mountains range, due to the cold spell, have gone viral on social media.

Ice sheets cover both Jabal Al Akhdar and Jabal Shams every year from mid-December to mid-January due to the drastic drop of temperature to sub-zero in the Hajar Mountains range.

Many tourists flock to these areas to enjoy the cold weather and the scenery.Northern parts of Oman have witnessed a dip in temperature with cloudy skies and fog expected to last for two more days, according to the Oman Meteorology Department.

Skies will be cloudy over the northern governorates, with chances of dust storms in open and desert areas.

Ocean waves could reach up to three metres due to powerful wind gusts, the department added

Motorists have been cautioned about poor visibility due to the fog and dust.

On Sunday, Jabal Al Shams, the highest peak in the Arabian Peninsula standing at 3,004 metres above sea level, recorded its lowest recorded temperature.

Temperatures in Muscat and Seeb hover between 24 and 17 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Oman Air cancelled its flight to Chennai, India, as cyclone Vardah approaches the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu

source : gulfnews