NCMS warns of poor visibility and rough sea

The National Center of Meteorology & Seismology has warned motorists to be more cautious while driving due to poor horizontal visibility owing to dust and sand at most areas in the country where the visibility level ranges between 1000 m to 3000 m. To make matters worse, the met department in the country has forecast more winds that will kick up sand and dust and warned about fog formation early morning today. According to the forecasters, the cold spell caused by northwesterly winds since Sunday has increased the chances of fog formation in the country. Suspended dust all the way from Iraq and Kuwait and gusty shamal on Sunday and Monday reduced visibility. The dusty winds moved towards Iran and Pakistan. Wind speeds are expected to be 30-40km/h along the coast, going up to 60km/h at times. It will be northwesterly at first and turn northeast-east by the evening. The maximum temperature along the coast could touch 24 degree Celsius, while internal regions of the country will have 23-26 degree Celsius. In mountainous regions, the mercury could dip to 14 degree Celsius. Meanwhile, the Traffic and Patrols Directorate of the Abu Dhabi Police has called on motorists to exercise extra caution and avoid tailgating. Colonel Hamad Mubarak bin Athaeeth Al Amiri, Director of the Traffic Department at the directorate, urged drivers to adhere to the traffic rules, reduce speed and leave sufficient and safe distance with the vehicles ahead. He also advised them to use the four hazard lights while stopping the vehicles and to switch on the lights at daytime also if the visibility dips as a precautionary measure and to allow other users to see the vehicles ahead. Col Al Amiri said the sand deposited on the roads could cause accidents. Therefore, motorists should be very careful and stick to the traffic rules and regulations. “Motorists should also keep an eye on the roads for solid objects like construction remains, tree and date palm branches that could be deposited by winds under these weather conditions,” he said. They must be careful while moving in desert areas where there are no crash barriers, buildings or trees which could block the strong sandy winds. The National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology said a wave of dust is moving gradually from Pakistan and South Iran towards the northern and eastern parts of the UAE. The centre posted on its Twitter site pictures of winds whipping up dust from Syria, Iraq and Saudi Arabia, while the Al Asifa centre forecast low visibility due to the dust and rough seas. It advised seafarers not to venture out, a statement from the Abu Dhabi Police said.