What UAE weather will be like until New Year’s Eve
By Jasmine Al Kuttab/ WAM
Published: Fri 29 Dec 2017, 3:12 PM
Fog is expected to descend upon UAE during the next five days - including on New Year's Eve - and motorists have been cautioned to drive carefully, particularly motorists commuting across the country, weather officials told Khaleej Times.
The weather department posted a notification about heavy fog in most parts of UAE.
"With the major phenomenon we are witnessing now - the dense fog - residents can expect some fog during the long weekend," said Ali Musallam, Senior Forecaster, The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
"There is a warning for all drivers to take care on the roads, especially during the night and early morning on the highways," he added.
He added that the fog is shrouding the country because of high pressure.
Also read: No fireworks at Burj Khalifa this New Year's Eve"We see this especially over the western and middle parts of the UAE - the high pressure will be all over the UAE soon, that is why there is a chance of fog formation, especially in the next few days over the western and the southern sides."
He said that for the northern emirates, there will either be mist or light fog in some places, however the concentration of heavy fog remains on the western side and in the centre, as well as the southern areas of the country.
Al Musallam said residents in those areas can expect to witness foggy weather over the next three days.
"On the fourth and fifth day, there will be a slight chance of fog over the eastern side and southern side of the UAE."
The minimum temperature recorded today is 7.8 degree Celsius in the Al Jazeera area of UAE.
Also read: 8 places in UAE you got to be at to welcome 2018On Thursday evening and Friday, the fog could increase in the western and southern parts of the UAE, and the weather will continue to be humid at night and early morning from Friday to Tuesday.
"The northern areas, including Dubai and Sharjah, will experience mist to light fog, but it will not be as dense as the fog in the western and southern parts of the country," he added.
Police warn drivers to stick to road rules at all times
The thick blanket of fog, which began on Monday, has lead to hundreds of flight disruptions, slow movement of traffic and numerous road accidents across the country, due to low visibility, dropped to less than 500 metres.
On Wednesday, Dubai Police reported two accidents that involved various vehicles due to heavy fog.
Police across the country, thus, urged motorists to drive with caution and warned drivers to not use hazard lights except in case of emergency.
Police also urged drivers to maintain enough distance between vehicles, indicate when changing lanes and to switch the low-beam lights on.
Abu Dhabi Police said that a fine of Dh500 and four black points will be handed to motorists turning their hazard lights on during foggy conditions.
Police also warned bus drivers that have a capacity of 14, 24 and 60 passengers to halt driving when visibility level drops below 50 metres.
A fine of Dh500 and four black points will be given to bus drivers violating the rules, while a Dh1,000 fine and four black points will be handed to truck drivers also violating the rules.
Abu Dhabi Police said that a whopping 753 bus and truck drivers were found violating traffic laws during the heavy fog conditions this week.
Brigadier Dr Abdullah Al Suwaidi, Deputy Director of external roads at Abu Dhabi Police, said truck and bus drivers were found violating rulers, despite several warnings.
He pointed out that road rules on mobility during low visibility levels will be enforced on internal and external roads of the UAE Capital.
Brigadier Al Suwaidi also and urged light vehicle drivers to stop in a safe spot and turn their hazard lights on when visibility level drops to zero.
Stable weather expected for 2018’s first days
The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast the weather during the New Year’s early days to be generally stable and relatively windy with increased relative humidity during nights and mornings.
The weather will be partly cloudy to clear, mild during the day, relatively cold and humid during night and early morning, NCM said in a statement today. This is coupled with a chance of fog or mist formation over different areas of the country during this period, which leads to poor visibility of less than 500 meters at times over some areas.
The presence of fog and light fog will be concentrated on the internal and the west part on Friday and Saturday, while fog and light fog will be on Sunday and Monday to include Abu Dhabi, central, internal and western parts of the country, The wind is northeasterly to the east and north and northwest to the western and internal regions, ranging from 15 to 25 km to 35 km / h sometimes on the sea, which is suitable for all marine activities and the wave is light to moderate in the Gulf Arab and the Sea of ??Oman in general.
The maximum temperatures are expected to range between 17 to 31 C., while the minimum ranges between 10 to 20 degrees.
The center calls on motorists and road users to take all precautions and follow traffic instructions while driving under fog formations and poor visibility.
Prepare early for NYE
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the different New Year's Eve celebrations in the UAE Capital, including major performances and fireworks display on the Corniche, Al Maryah Island and Yas Island.
Also read: Top 10 places in Abu Dhabi to ring in 2018The major events include, Katy Perry's first UAE concert on Yas Island's du Arena, as well as Hussain Al Jassmi and Tamer Al Hosny's concert on Abu Dhabi Corniche, both of which expect to draw heavy traffic jams in the Capital.
Bridge four from Saadiyat Road and Bridge 11, from Reem Island will be closed on New Year's Eve.
The much-anticipated Khadim Al Sahir and Balqees event on Al Maryah Island is also expected to draw residents from across the country, however commuters flocking into Abu Dhabi are advised to prepare early, as the free event operates on a first-come, first served basis, limited to 1,500 visitors.
Once the Promenade, Abu Dhabi Global Market Square North and South, and parking reach full capacity, access to Al Maryah Island will be restricted.
The Al Maryah Island official website said that a number of measures have been put in place to ensure the thousands of guests expected to attend have a safe and pleasurable experience.
It is also advised that commuters take public transportation, as parking is limited to only 5,000 cars on the Island.
"Once the car parks reach full capacity, all cars will be directed off the island, and access to Al Maryah will be limited to taxis, public transportation and emergency vehicles only."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com