Foggy days are far from over for UAE residents

Top Stories

Embracing the bright side: A guide on how to cultivate optimism

The power of solitude: Why you should go on a solo trip

How to get your kids to read: Essential tips for parents

Foggy days are far from over for UAE residents

Pedestrians cross the airport road on as fog grips Abu Dhabi on December 28, 2016. Photo By Ryan Lim

Dubai - The weather forecast for today is partly cloudy to fair in general with drop in temperature.

By Web Team

Published: Wed 4 Jan 2017, 6:39 AM

Last updated: Thu 5 Jan 2017, 8:23 AM

It's another foggy day for UAE residents. According to the National Center of Meteorology & Seismology (NCMS), fog gripped Abu Dhabi, including Khalifa city, and Dubai's Al Maktoum International airport in the wee hours of Wednesday. NCMS also reported mist over Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah.
Meteorologists have warned of fog formation and poor visibility over most internal and coastal areas, especially the central and western areas. Motorists are urged to drive with extra caution as poor visibility was reported on Abu Dhabi-Dubai, Abu Dhabi-Al Ain and Abu Dhabi-Al Ghuwaifat highways.

pic.twitter.com/4Zc5YqiixE
- UAE WEATHER (@NCMS_media) January 3, 2017

pic.twitter.com/HLF4UbNjv1
- UAE WEATHER (@NCMS_media) January 3, 2017

The weather forecast for today is partly cloudy to fair in general with drop in temperature. Light to moderate winds are likely over land, and fresh to strong at times over the sea. The relative humidity is likely to increase during night and tomorrow early morning over the internal areas, and fog/mist may form. Sea will be rough in Arabian Gulf and moderate to rough at times in Oman Sea.

Also read: One dead, 29 injured in fog accidents in December 2016
The Ministry of Interior recorded 17 major accidents in December due to foggy weather conditions. One motorist was killed and 29 others were injured in traffic accidents reported on UAE roads. The accidents included a car that overturned and 16 collisions, according to statistics released by the ministry's traffic coordination department.
Brigadier Ghaith Al Zaabi, director of Traffic Coordination at the ministry, said that thick fog had even covered internal roads and highways and had thrown traffic out of gear.
He said that the department in coordination with the other traffic departments across the country instructed drivers to abide by safety measures while driving in fog. He stressed on the danger of fog accidents which could also turn fatal. Majority of the accidents were caused due to tailgating and not abiding by speed limits or to park on the right side of the road when the visibility is low.
He also added that the UAE is keen to ensure safety of people so much so that it has also issued work flexibility circular in such conditions. He called on various authorities to abide by it for public benefit.
Al Zaabi called on companies and owners of heavy trucks to prevent such lorries from being driven during fog to protect road users.
(With inputs from Amira Agarib)