Foggy conditions prevail in UAE on Tuesday

Visibility reduced to 100 metres and 50 metres in some areas, resulting in flight disruptions and road accidents

  

Dubai: Motorists are urged to drive with caution on Tuesday as foggy conditions continue to prevail in the UAE.

Dense fog covered most parts of the UAE from early Sunday night to Monday morning, resulting in flight disruptions and 107 traffic accidents in Dubai.

“On Monday morning, thick fog covered almost all over the UAE, starting from the far north in Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai to Abu Dhabi and also between Abu Dhabi to Al Ain to the western region,” a forecaster from the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) told Gulf News.

“Visibility dropped to less than 100 metres in areas between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. In Liwa, it dropped to 50 metres.”

The forecaster said the same conditions will prevail over the UAE on Tuesday, and probably on Wednesday, especially in the northern UAE and between Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, and interior areas in general.

“The UAE or the southeast part of the Gulf area is under the effect of high pressure in all the layers of the atmosphere, causing weather instability. Relative humidity is very high over land, causing a concentration of moisture and resulting in fog from early night until morning,” the forecaster said.

Several flights were delayed in Dubai due to the poor visibility. A spokesperson from Dubai Airports said: “Heavy fog is disrupting operations this [Monday] morning at Dubai International, resulting in delays of up to an hour on arriving and departing flights. Dubai Airports is working with airlines, air traffic control and control authorities to minimise customer inconvenience. Flight information is available on our website at www.dubaiairports.ae”

Emirates flights were also affected. In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Severe fog in Dubai on 05 December 2016 has caused the delay of some Emirates flights arriving at and departing from Dubai International Airport.”

Passengers are advised to check www.emirates.com for the latest information on their flights.

“Emirates apologises for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our passengers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised,” the statement said.

The forecaster said more foggy days are to be expected at this time of the year as the season transitions to winter.

“Now the frequency of foggy conditions will increase during this period as the seasons change because the air mass over the country is cold, relative humidity is increasing and if you have a high pressure, there will be a good chance of fog.”

There is no significant change in temperature on Tuesday, but forecasters expect a gradual drop in temperature starting Wednesday night, especially if north-westerly wind coming from cold areas affect the country.

Average temperature along the coast will be 25 degrees Celsius to 29C and in interior areas will be 28C to 32C.