Red alert issued for thick fog across UAE; More clouds and rain on Sunday and Monday

A BLANKET of thick fog engulfed many parts of the UAE on Saturday morning. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has cautioned motorists in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, of reduced visibility on roads, according to the Gulf News.

Red and yellow weather alerts indicated that many parts of the country will be affected by different intensities of fog. According to the alert, visibility fell below 1000 metres in these areas. 

In Dubai, fog was reported over Al Jaddaf, Al Aweer, Expo City and Khalifa Tower. In Abu Dhabi, fog developed over Al Falah, Al Riyad City, Bani Yas, AlShawamekh. Fog was also reported over the Dubai-Abu Dhabi road and Abu Dhabi Al Ain Road. 

As forecast earlier this week, an increase in temperatures has been recorded today. Early morning temperatures in coastal parts of the country, including Dubai and Sharjah, were around 16 to 20°C. The lowest temperature recorded in the country was 10.9°C at 7 am in Abu Dhabi's Al Dhafra region.

According to the daily weather forecast by NCM, temperatures are expected to go up to 27 to 30°C in most parts of the country, except in the mountains.

In an interview with Gulf News, a senior meteorologist from NCM explained on Thursday that rain is expected between February 25 and 26. It is most likely that rainfall will occur late on Sunday evening or in the early hours of Monday, he said.

While Dubai and Sharjah are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall, there is a chance of heavy downpours in and around Fujairah, he confirmed.

More clouds and rain in UAE on Sunday and Monday

The Met office has issued a rain alert for Sunday, February 25 and Monday, February 26. Get ready for another round of cloudy skies and wet weather in the country.

Dr Ahmed Habib, a senior meteorologist at the UAE’s National Center of Meteorology (NCM) told Gulf News that northern and eastern parts of the UAE will see cloudy weather and rainfall of different intensities on both days.

It won’t be a heavy downpour as previously seen on February 12, Dr Habib confirmed.

Light to moderate rain is expected in Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman and parts of Umm Al Quwain and Ras Al Khaimah. And, heavy rainfall is expected in Fujairah, he explained.

According to the NCM specialist: "On Sunday and Monday, the country will be affected by a surface low-pressure system extending from the Southwest, accompanied by an extension of an upper air depression in the atmosphere. Along with this, there will be a westerly trough with different amounts of clouds flowing from the West at different intervals."

According to the NCM alert issued on Thursday, February 22, weather on Sunday and Monday, will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times with a chance of light to moderate rainfall, might be heavy at times over some Northern, Eastern, and coastal areas.

Clouds are expected to increase by Sunday evening, Dr Habib said.

He added that residents living in mountainous regions should exercise caution when stepping out, especially in flood-prone wadis or valleys.

Will there be cloud seeding?

According to Dr Habib, cloud seeding will be conducted if "seedable" clouds are noticed by the NCM's cloud seeding division.

The cloud seeding division regularly monitors convective clouds, which are formed due to an increase in the surface temperature. They rise upwards and look similar to cotton balls piled on top of one another. These types of clouds are most conducive to successful cloud seeding.

Depending on the amount of moisture or rain these clouds carry, the NCM dispatches cloud-seeding flights, to maximise rainfall over the country.

Will there be a decrease in temperatures during this period? While, technically, the forecast mentions a dip in temperatures, but the difference will not be significant.

Explaining the reason for this, Dr Habib said that temperatures on Saturday are expected to rise across the country. This will be followed by a dip on Sunday and Monday.

"Northwesterly winds blowing over the country will bring in cold air, causing temperatures to dip, especially in the western parts of the country (mainly Abu Dhabi)," he explained.

According to the weather forecast, winds, especially in areas where clouds develop, will cause dust and sandstorms at times.

Slight to moderate, rough at times in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.