Like most of the Arabian Peninsula, Oman has a tropical desert climate, with scorching summers and pleasantly warm, dry winters. There is some regional variation between the more humid coastal areas, the arid desert interior and the cooler, more Mediterranean climate of the mountain regions. However, with an abundance of warm, sunny days and balmy seas, the pleasant weather in Oman makes it an almost year-round destination. And though much of the country is extremely hot in the summer months, you could always do what the Omanis do and head up into the cooler mountains, or down south where the monsoon creates a refreshing microclimate and turns the landscape into a refreshing green oasis.
Weather in Oman Throughout the Year
December - February
‘Winter’ in Oman means a very pleasant 20-25°C in Muscat and low humidity. Just take an extra layer for cooler nights up in the mountains. Rainfall is low, with showers most likely in the far northern Musandam Peninsula. Visit during the Muscat Festival for a month-long celebration of Omani culture and heritage. With fabulous weather in Oman in December, it can also be an ideal Christmas break.
March - April
Expect a warm and pleasant climate with temperatures ranging between 25-32°C during the day. Rainfall is very low. During these months the roses are in full bloom in the mountains of Jebel Akhdar - the scent is terrific!
May
May is the transitional month between winter and summer in Oman. Temperatures are climbing steadily, but humidity remains low. This is a month of fruit harvest, with apricots, peaches, pears and figs in abundance.
June - September
We recommend that you avoid the scorching summer months in Oman when temperatures can exceed 40°C and humidity is high. However, the southern Dhofar region is cooled in July and August by the khareef (monsoon) which creates a natural tropical paradise of lush green landscapes and seasonal waterfalls.
October - November
An ideal time to visit! Temperatures are comfortable again, rarely climbing above 30°C, and skies are clear. You can expect great weather for walking in the mountains, swimming in the balmy sea and exciting adventures in the desert. Meanwhile, the markets are full of pomegranates and grapes, olives and walnuts after the Autumn harvest.
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Key dates, events and festivals in Oman
Many key dates in Oman focus around Islam, the majority religion in the country. It’s worth noting that the month of Ramadan is strictly observed in Oman and, while this can be a fascinating time to visit, it can also present a challenge. The dates change from year to year, and we can advise you about this when you’re planning your luxury Oman holiday.
Eid al-Fitr lasts for three days at the end of Ramadan. Mostly a festival of family and feasting, it shouldn’t affect travel too much, although bars and restaurants in Muscat will be dry and local businesses may close, as Omanis often use the break for a holiday. For that reason, tourism areas such as Nizwa, Wahiba and Salalah can book up early with domestic travellers.
In terms of cultural festivals, the Muscat festival has to be the biggest. Lasting a whole month between January and February, it is a celebration of Omani culture and heritage with activities such as firework displays, theatre performances, acrobatics, traditional food stalls and more. The Salalah festival in October is a similarly vibrant affair, filled with music, colour, restaurants, clothes stalls and more. Either can make a brilliant addition to your holiday.
Loosely speaking, Oman’s seasons follow the same patterns as the UK: spring is March-May, summer is June-August, autumn is September-November and winter is December to February. Of course, with its tropical desert climate, within these seasons there is far less variation than we see in the UK. Most of Oman is reliably hot throughout the year, with Muscat averaging around 25°C in the winter months and up to a scorching 38°C in the summer. However, mountainous regions like the Musandam Peninsula are cooler throughout the year.
The exception to this is the southern region of Dhofar, home to the famously beautiful Salalah, which has something of a microclimate. Dhofar has a wet season, known as the “khareef”, that runs from June to September. While monsoon seasons aren’t typically the best time to travel, Dhofar is actually at its best at this time, with pleasant temperatures, lush green scenery and seasonal waterfalls.
Meet the Oman experts
Sara
Sara was bitten by the travel bug straight after university, and her working life has been peppered with sabbaticals before deciding on a career in the Travel Industry in 2012. She worked for two of the UK’s leading tour operators organising tailor made trips to India and Sri Lanka, before joining ETG.
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Becky
Becky joined the Experience Travel Group team in July 2012, but was an explorer from a young age, thanks to her globe-trotting parents. Southeast Asia was where her young journeys began and later, combining her passion for history with travel, she delved into the culture, religions and traditions of Asia and the Middle East. Becky also spent a year studying at the University of Otago, in New Zealand, as part of her History degree.
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