Dubai: Heavy fog was expected to blanket scattered parts of the UAE on Tuesday morning, a day after the “clouds on the ground” disrupted flights and traffic.
A forecaster at the National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) said the seasonal fog was typical for October, heralding the onset of the coming winter months.
Authorities have recently been warning motorists about fog-time safe driving during the spells of poor visibility.
In some areas, visibility had dropped to less than 50m, the forecaster added. Similar conditions were expected on early Tuesday morning, especially in the western region.
Flight delays
On Monday, dozens of flights were delayed UAE airports and a number of traffic accidents and delays were also reported in the morning.
According to analysis of data by FlightStats, a major provider of real-time global flight information sourced from hundreds of providers worldwide, more than 60 incoming flights at Dubai International Airport were delayed between 4.15am and 8.20am.
An Emirates spokesperson said the fog “caused the delay of some Emirates flights arriving and departing at Dubai International Airport. Normal operations resumed by around 1300 local time.
“Emirates passengers affected by the flight delays are being assisted with their onward connections and rebooking if needed.”
Also, 30 incoming flights were delayed at Abu Dhabi International Airport. However, the duty media officer for Etihad Airways said in an email that “the fog did not impact our services today [Monday] and [there were] no significant delays.”
Meanwhile, 17 flights were delayed in landing at Sharjah International Airport, according to information based on FlightStats.
UAE residents posted their fog pictures on Twitter and shared traffic alerts during the morning commute on Monday. The tips of skyscrapers jutting out of the fog were common posts, as were pictures of poor road visibility.
@RelaxInDubai said “13 floors up at 7am this morning and still drowning in fog.” Another resident, Alex Riggs, added: “Some seriously thick #fog in #Dubai this morning. It was essentially rain that stayed in the air.”
The NCMS forecaster said the seasonal foggy weather is a caused by a combination of rising humidity, the inflow of moisture brought in by winds from the sea and falling temperatures over clear nights.
“The resulting water droplets are exactly the same as in clouds, but these clouds touch the earth as their base is on the ground,” he added.
