The khareef monsoon season (roughly mid-June through mid-September) is when Salalah is at its most dramatic. The mountains turn green, waterfalls appear, and temperatures drop to a pleasant 20–25°C — a striking contrast to the rest of the Arabian Peninsula in summer. The Khareef Festival runs for six weeks from mid-June, bringing a lively carnival atmosphere to the city. The trade-off is crowds: visitor numbers spike sharply during the season and accommodation prices rise.
Outside monsoon season (October through May), weather is hot and dry, beaches are quieter, and archaeological sites are more comfortable to explore. Winter months (December–February) are the mildest for non-monsoon visits.