Tag Archives: Sohar

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab Moves West over Gulf of Oman

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab moved west over the Gulf of Oman on Saturday night. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab was located at latitude 24.3°N and longitude 59.0°E which put it about 70 miles (110 km) north-northeast of Muscat, Oman. Shaheen/Gulab was moving toward the west at 7 m.p.h. (11 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 75 m.p.h. (120 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 979 mb.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab was over the Gulf of Oman on Saturday night. Winds blowing around the southwestern part of Shaheen/Gulab appeared to be pulling drier air over Oman into the southern and eastern part of the tropical cyclone. A small eye was present at the center of circulation. The was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms, but there was a break in the southeastern part of the ring of storms. The strongest thunderstorms were occurring in a band on the western side of Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab. Bands in the southern and eastern parts of the circulation consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds. The circulation around Shaheen/Gulab was small. Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 15 miles (25 km) from the center of circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 80 miles (130 km) from the center.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move through an environment somewhat favorable for intensification during the next 12 hours. Shaheen/Gulab will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 29˚C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge over Southwest Asia. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. However, dry air from Oman could continue to limit the development of thunderstorms in the southern and eastern parts of Shaheen/Gulab. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab could strengthen during the next 12 hours. If more drier air reaches the core of Shaheen/Gulab, the remainder of the eyewall could weaken. That would reduce the maximum sustained wind speed.

Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will move around the southern side of a high pressure system over Southwest Asia. The high will steer Shaheen/Gulab toward the west during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track Tropical Cyclone Gulab could approach the coast of Oman near Sohar in 18 hours. Shaheen/Gulab will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to the part of Oman around Sohar. Heavy rain could cause flash floods. Tropical Cyclone Shaheen/Gulab will weaken quickly when it moves inland.