DUBAI // Sunshine is expected across the country on Monday as skies begin to clear and despite parts of Abu Dhabi experiencing a foggy start. However, there is a chance of light rain in parts of the country.
A long spell of wintery conditions hit the country this past week, particularly on Sunday, when showers led to a number of accidents across the UAE, including a few in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, causing a backlog of traffic.
One person died and several others sustained severe injuries in a multiple-vehicle crash in the Saih Al Sidirah tunnel in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Heavy rain and gusty winds also picked up sand and dust, causing haze and low visibility throughout the country.
Heavy floods were reported across the country and large crowds gathered at metro stations throughout Dubai as rain poured heavily.
Although not much traffic was reported on Monday morning, roads were grim across most of the country on Sunday with slow-moving, back-to-back queues of cars.
Twitter users said Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road had “turned into a parking lot” from Silicon Oasis until the Sharjah-Dhaid Road and drivers were urged to avoid Emirates Road.
Countless accidents were reported across the country, from the Dubai-Al Ain Road to Seih Al Sedira towards Dubai and Nad Al Sheba.
Most of the traffic reported on Monday was on Al Wahda Street from Sharjah coming into Dubai on Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road from Dubai to Sharjah.
An accident was reported in the capital on the Abu Dhabi-Al Ain Road, causing traffic inbound. Salam Street was also congested coming into the city as well as Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Highway around the port of Mina Zayed, inbound to Abu Dhabi.
An accident on Al Khaleej Al Arabi Street caused heavy traffic inbound, close to Mangrove Village.
The weather will be partly cloudy on Monday, especially over the northern and eastern areas, with a chance of some rain in the morning over the eastern and northern areas.
Light to moderate winds will become fresh over the sea and humidity will increase during overnight leading to a chance of fog over scattered areas, especially inland.
Temperatures will range between 14°C and 24°C along the coast, 12°C and 25°C inland and 7°C to 18°C in the mountains.
Seas will be moderate and rough at times further offshore in the Arabian Gulf and moderate in the Sea of Oman.
Weather forecast for Monday. Courtesy National Centre for Meteorology and Seismology
cmalek@thenational.ae
