Heavy fog as can be seen from the Corniche. Pic: Salim Matramkot
Today morning Qatar residents woke up to see heavy fog envelop the entire city. Qatar Meteorology Department has tweeted that the fog cover has affected visibility in most areas and is expected to continue until the early hours of the day. It has also advised the motorists to be cautious while also listing out a set of instructions to be followed.
Residents drive carefully as visibility was near zero. Pic: Abdul Basit / The Peninsula
In addition to warning of poor visibility over most areas, QMD said that weather inshore until 6 pm on Sunday will be misty to foggy over most areas at first, becoming moderate temperature with some clouds, cold and hazy by night inshore.
Offshore, it will be hazy to misty or foggy at places at first offshore, warning of poor visibility at places at first due to fog, report added.
Wind inshore will be northwesterly to westerly at a speed of 03 to 12 knot. Offshore, it will be mainly northwesterly to southwesterly at a speed of 03 to 12 knot.
Visibility will be 03 to 08 kilometer or 1 kilometer or less at first.
Sea state inshore will be 1 to 2 feet. while offshore it will be 1 to 3 feet.
In a tweet yesterday night, the department had mentioned that thick fog is forming over the northern areas, adding "Latest observations show thick fog in northern and western areas of #Qatar with zero visibility at times in Alghweriah, Alshhemiah & Dukhan. Misty conditions are reported elsewhere as fog expected to thicken more during coming hours in all areas lasting until morning."
A panoramic shot of the fog cover. Pic: Baher Amin / The Peninsula
Tips for safe driving in fog, as listed down by the QMD, are:
1. Don't use emergency lights and high beams, use fog lights and low beam.
2. Stick to the lane you are driving in, avoid overtaking and changing lanes.
3. Be alert and listen for any hazards that may be ahead.
4. Use your defrosters and wipers to maximise your vision.
5. Slow down your vehicle and drive at a speed that suits the condition.
6. Allow more distance between vehicles.
