1.2103295-2279251245
Foggy Dubai morning. Image Credit: Gulf News

Dubai: At least 44 inbound flights to the UAE's major international airports were delayed on Tuesday due to fog, a flight tracking site reported.

Early morning mist formation over the major roads had also prompted the National Centre of Meteorology and Seismology (NCMS) to urge motorists to be cautious, reduce speed and leave enough distance between vehicles to avoid smash-ups in fog.

Weathermen reported visibility dropping to reduced to 500 meters in certain parts of the country between 5am to 9am.

Thick fog on Tuesday morning blanketed a huge swathe of the UAE, especially in the interior areas. The mercury, meanwhile, dropped to a cool 20.1 degrees C, the day's lowest, on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah at around 6am.

Weathermen reported early morning mist over Abu Dhabi International Airport,  Sharjah and other parts of the country.

At least seven inbound flights were reported delayed in Abu Dhabi by Flighttracker at around 6.15am, though it was not immediately clear if the fog caused the delayed landings.

All inbound flights in the capital between the 3am to 6am timeframe landed on time.

In Dubai, 19 inbound flights were delayed between 3am to 6am, though the majority of the 50-plus inbound flights during that period landed on time.

At least 18 inbound flights were also reported delayed at Sharjah International Airport between the 3am to 9am timeframe on Tuesday.

The fog and mist are expected to continue throughout the night on Tuesday and into the early morning on Wednesday — again raising the risk of reduced road visibility as the foggy days continue.

Meanwhile with humidity above 80 per cent is expected today, said weathermen.

Forecasters said while UAE can expect fair weather today, with refreshing light to moderate winds, there's a risk of blowing dust in some exposed areas.

On Tuesday afternoon, it will be partly cloudy in the eastern mountains and adjacent areas. 

NCMS said that the weather on Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be fair in general, partly cloudy and hazy at times over some areas.