Red alert issued as heavy fog delays motorists Wednesday morning

UAE heavy fog

 A thick blanket of fog enveloped highways in several parts of the UAE on Wednesday morning, causing significant delays for motorists. Driving conditions became hazardous as visibility dropped to as low as 1,000 meters in some areas, forcing drivers to reduce their speeds. Some motorists used their hazard lights, a practice not recommended by experts and authorities.

Traffic congestion and delays were expected during the morning rush hour. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued a red warning and advised caution. At 4:47 AM, Abu Dhabi Police issued an alert about the heavy fog. The police advised drivers to be cautious and implemented a dynamic speed control system, reducing speed limits to 80 km/h on certain roads. Motorists were urged to stay vigilant and follow the changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards.

A video shared by a KT reader showed heavy fog on E311, highlighting the challenging driving conditions. Despite the fog, the sun eventually pierced through, casting a glow over the tall towers in JVC and around the Dubai Cricket Stadium.

The NCM predicted overall fair conditions for the day. However, humidity is expected to increase by night and into Thursday morning, with a possibility of fog or mist in some coastal and internal regions. Winds will be light to moderate, occasionally freshening, and the sea will be rough in the morning towards the west but will calm to moderate or slight in the Arabian Gulf, remaining slight in the Oman Sea.

In addition to the fog, slight tremors were felt by UAE residents early Wednesday morning. The Met Department reported minor earthquakes in the Oman Sea, with a 3.1 magnitude quake near the coast of Ras Al Khaimah at 12:12 AM, followed by a 2.8 magnitude quake at 1:53 AM. Both quakes occurred at a depth of 10 km and did not have any significant impact in the UAE.

As residents navigate the foggy conditions and minor tremors, the authorities continue to monitor the situation, ensuring public safety and keeping the community informed.