MUSCAT: The Winter Solstice will occur on December 21, 2024, at 1:21 PM Oman time, signaling the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. This annual astronomical event occurs when the sun reaches its southernmost point over the Tropic of Capricorn, creating the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
In Oman, the solstice is accompanied by a significant drop in temperatures, particularly in higher-altitude areas. Frost has been reported on several mountain peaks, contributing to the winter chill sweeping across the Sultanate. The Civil Aviation Authority has recorded the following low temperatures in various locations:
- Jabal Shams: 2°C
- Saiq: 4°C
- Uanqul: 11°C
- Jebel Al Qamar: 10°C
- Qairoun Hairiti: 10°C
As Oman experiences these colder temperatures, the solstice highlights the transition into a cooler season, bringing with it the potential for more frost and lower temperatures in the coming weeks.
