Heavy fog has settled in over the Emirates for a third day, wreaking havoc for commuters across Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.
Foggy and misty weather is set to continue over some coastal and internal areas of the country on Thursday, with poor visibility to less than 500 metres until 10am, forecasters at the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) said.
They urged people to be extra cautious and follow the traffic rules.
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018
The National Center of Meteorology Calls the drivers for taking all precautions and to follow traffic guidance because of poor visibility until 10:00 AM tomorrow morning. @moiuae pic.twitter.com/dSoYbSynJV
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 7, 2018
Fog covered Abu Dhabi city and airport, Sharjah International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Al Ain Airport and Al Bateen Airport as well as major thoroughfares in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain such as Hatta-Oman Road, Jabal Ali-Al Hibab Road.
Emirates airline has warned of disruptions to flights due to "severe fog" and urged travellers to check their flights before they head to the airport.
Severe fog in Dubai is causing disruption to some Emirates flights. Check your flight status for the latest information: https://t.co/tspSL6P0VK
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) February 8, 2018
Dubai Police urged motorists to be cautious around Emirates Road, near Al Maktoum Airport, after an accident.
#حالة_الطرق
— Dubai Policeشرطة دبي (@DubaiPoliceHQ) February 8, 2018
حادث على شارع الامارات بعد مطار آل مكتوم باتجاه ابوظبي يرجى اخذ الحيطة والحذر وتقليل السرعة واختيار طرق بديلة.
يرجى توخي الحذر واتباع إرشادات المرور
— المركز الوطني للأرصاد (@NCMS_media) February 8, 2018
#المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد
#مشاهدات_ضباب
طريق حتا - دبي
أحمد البدواوي #سماوي_للإستكشاف #هواة_الطقس
#أصدقاء_المركز_الوطني_للأرصاد pic.twitter.com/0KUMy8Tzdp
The thick fog and reduced visibility on the roads has again plagued the commute for motorists across the country.
Slow moving traffic was reported on E311 Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Road, from Al Turrfa in Sharjah to Nad Al Sheba in Dubai, and on E11 Al Ittihad Street from Industrial Area 7, to Al Khabaisi.
Commuters should also expect delays on S112 - Maliha Road from Industrial Area 17, Sharjah to Al Badia; on D62 - Beirut Street from Al Qusais Industrial 4 to Al Muhaisnah 3, and E44 - Al Awir Rpad near Warsan 3 and Wadi Alshabako.
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Read more:
Video captures dramatic moment 44 vehicles collide in fog on Dubai-Abu Dhabi road
It's careless driving, not fog, that causes accidents
Police urge motorists to pull over in heavy fog as forecasters say more is to come
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In Abu Dhabi, Khalifa City was experiencing heavy traffic.
Temperatures on Thursday will range between 12°C and 25°C along the coast, 10°C to 27°C inland and between 8°C and 18°C in the mountains.
The weekend weather was expected to be fair to partly cloudy, with light to moderate winds. Fog was expected to continue until at least Saturday morning, NCM said.
Humidity levels are expected to increase overnight and on Friday morning over the coastal areas, reaching 95 per cent along the coast and inland, and up to 65 per cent in the mountains.
Seas will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf, becoming rough on Friday, and slight to moderate in the Oman Sea.