Revellers and travelers planning to usher in the New Year in different parts of the country must plan their itineraries carefully as foggy conditions are here to stay, at least for another five days.
Flight disruptions continued in Dubai for the sixth straight day although the average delays are shorter and just at five minutes as of 7.45am.
Some 44 flights were reported delayed at the Dubai International Airport at 7.45am while two flights were cancelled due to the fog blanketing the emirate, according to flightradar24.com.
The fog is expected to clear by 11am.
On Wednesday, as many as 150 flights were delayed and three flights were cancelled.
Fog was also reported at Al Maktoum International Airport at 5.13am although no flight disruptions were reported.
The National Centre of Meteorology’s five-day forecast said weather will be mild during daytime on Thursday and relatively cold by night. Humidity will rise by evening and early morning, giving rise to fog or mist over scattered areas.
The weather bureau raised the orange alert on Thursday morning to caution motorists to be alert as visibility dropped to below 500metres from Ras Al Khaimah to Ajman to Sharjah down to Al Ain towards the border to Oman and extending to internal areas and Dubai.
Winds on Thursday will be light to moderate Northwesterly to Northeasterly, freshening at times over the sea, with speed of 15km/h to 25 km/h, reaching 38 km/h at times.
The sea will be slight to moderate in Arabian Gulf, becoming rough at times during daytimes and slight to moderate in Oman Sea.
Weather on Friday to Tuesday will continue to be humid at night and early morning, with a chance of fog and mist formation over scattered areas, concentrated over internal and western areas of the country on Friday and Saturday.
Those wishing to ring in the New Year on Sunday will have to deal with late night and early morning fog. It is unclear if the fog will obstruct the view at the Burj Khalifa or in other places where fireworks displays are planned.
The rest of Friday until Tuesday will be partly cloudy to fair in general during the day and relatively cold at night.
