Dense fog that has caused travel disruptions likely to return, says NCM

The National -- The dense fog that blanketed most of the country over the weekend is expected to return overnight, likely causing additional delays and cancellations during one of the busiest travel times of the year.

The National Centre for Meteorology (NCM) issued an advisory Saturday afternoon warning that it expected thick fog to develop over the coast, as well as rural and northern parts of the country overnight and into Sunday and Monday mornings.

“There is a good chance of fog formation over the internal and coastal areas, especially over northern areas during the next two nights and early mornings,” an NCM meteorologist said. “The horizontal visibility will decrease to less than 100 metres over some areas during the fog formation.” The fog will be heaviest after midnight and before 10am, he said.

“It is normal to have fog this time of year because there is more water vapour in the air, variable light winds and also clear skies – these are all conditions that tend to form fog,” he said.

Abu Dhabi International Airport, Liwa, Madinat Zayed, Sweihan and the area around Al Maktoum International Airport experienced visibility of less than 50 metres on Saturday and could be faced with the same conditions on Sunday and Monday, he said.

The reduced visibility forced a number of flights to or from Abu Dhabi International Airport to be delayed or cancelled.

“Abu Dhabi International Airport is witnessing heavy fog this weekend, which is anticipated to continue to the early morning of Sunday 24 December. Therefore, departing and arriving fight schedules may be affected,” an airport spokeswoman said in a statement.