Sand blasted arrival into Salalah

Throughout much of Oman the annual weather can be described as hot or scorching ; however on the southern coasts the summer monsoon, called locally the “Khareef”, brings changes.

Sand Storm on road to Dhofar
Sand Storm on road to Dhofar

As I drove down to Salalah from Muscat in early July the first hint of a change comes with what on the face of it might be a snowstorm. But lasting for weeks this isn’t a snow but sand flying past driven by the monsoon winds; making the sensible precautions by this petrol pump attendant essential to avoid being sandblasted.

Salalah Mountains in Khareef
Salalah Mountains in Khareef

Further towards Salalah the field that these cows are grazing in could be in northern Europe; however these are the mountains of Dhofar changed into ‘champs elysees’ through the summer months by the cloud cover brought inland by the monsoon wind.

Author: Tony Walsh

Tony Walsh - author and tour leader through Arabia