Oman, Yemen on alert for strengthening Cyclone Mekunu

By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist

May 23, 2018, 9:54:48 AM EDT

A newly developed tropical system in the Arabian Sea is expected to intensify in the coming days and make landfall in the Arabian Peninsula later this week.

The system reached cyclone strength and was named Cyclone Mekunu on Tuesday evening local time.

Mekunu is currently a very severe cyclonic storm with winds equal to a Category 1 hurricane in the Atlantic or east Pacific Ocean.

A north to northwest track in the coming days will bring the risk for life-threatening impacts to Socotra, Oman and Yemen.

Socotra has already felt impacts from Mekunu as the storm approaches the island from the southeast with increasing rain and wind.

The worst of the storm will be felt across the island into Thursday morning as heavy rain and wind gusts of 65-80 km/h (40-50 mph) batter northern and eastern parts of the island.

The slow movement of Mekunu will cause wind and rain to continue across the island into Friday, though the worst impacts will subside by Thursday afternoon.

As improvement is seen across Socotra, western Oman and far eastern Yemen will see increasing wind and rainfall from Thursday into Friday.

AccuWeather meteorologists expect the strengthening cyclone to produce winds equal to a Category 2 hurricane in the Atlantic or East Pacific Ocean as it reaches peak intensity prior to reaching the coast of far western Oman.

While some minor weakening is possible as the cyclone approaches the coast, it will still be a very dangerous storm.

Locations from Sayhut in eastern Yemen to Ash Shuwaymiyyah in western Oman are at risk for significant impacts from this cyclone.

Areas near and just east of the eventual landfall location will endure a prolonged period of damaging winds and heavy rainfall capable of producing flash flooding and mudslides.

Landfall is currently expected somewhere between Salalah and the border of Oman and Yemen between Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.

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Muscat is forecast to miss any impacts from this cyclone; however, a shift in the track to the east could result in an increased risk for a shower or thunderstorm.

Preparations should be made in advance of the cyclone’s arrival to limit the risk to lives and property.

Important decisions to make include: Where one should go if evacuations are ordered, and how to deal without having electricity for several days.

Check back to AccuWeather for additional updates on this dangerous tropical threat.