Fog in UAE: thick clouds cause more traffic delays and poor visibility

The National -- 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.

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.

The thick fog and reduced visibility on the roads has again plagued the commute for motorists across the country.

Dubai Police urged motorists to be cautious around Emirates Road, near Al Maktoum Airport, after an accident.

Nine people were injured in an accident involving 28 vehicles in Dubai on Thursday.

The accident happened at 7.30am on Emirates Road as heavy fog reduced visibility to less than 50m in areas across the country.

Brig Gen Saif Al Mazrouei, director General of Traffic Department at Dubai Police, said the fog was a major factor in causing the accident and caused heavy congestion along the road.

Police temporarily closed the road to the roundabout to avoid more cars becoming involved in the accident. The road remained closed while the injured were taken to hospital and cars were cleared away.