Recent Observed Climate Change Over Oman

Abstract

This study examined trends in temperature and precipitation parameters for the Sultanate of Oman in the period between 1980 and 2013. The data set has been carefully checked for the quality control for its homogeneity with the help of low density (8 stations) and it was possible to arrive at a clear picture of climate change in Oman. The results of this study found that the general pattern of Oman’s mean annual temperature is of warming, with all stations, subregions and all Oman average showing statistically significant warming at 0.05 level. Across stations of Khasab and Sohar, highest and statistically significant mean annual warming trends are found (0.5 °C decade−1). Results of seasonal warming showed consistent and widespread most of the year except in wintertime. These trends are mostly higher in magnitude over the non-monsoonal area relative to the monsoonal areas in across Oman. The increase in the mean annual maximum temperature is less widespread in relation to the mean annual temperature, which has reported statistically significant increase only for 2 stations. The highest statistically significant trend of 1.6 °C decade−1 reported at Khasab station and for minimum temperature, all stations observed and sub-regions across Oman on an average show statistically significant warming trends, with the highest annual trends observed in the monitoring station of Sohar (1.1 °C decade−1). Data monitored at stations of Saiq and Thumrait reported 0.6 °C decade−1. Total precipitation of annual values show only at 2 stations with statistically significant trends. Out of studied 8 stations, only two stations show negative trends (i.e. Saiq = −74.0 mm decade−1 and Salalah = −10.8 mm decade−1). Further, trends observed at remaining stations are negative and statistically not significant. Therefore, the results of this study offer an evidence that climate of Oman has changed during the past three decades.