+ A
A -
QNA
Doha
DIRECTOR of the Meteorology Department at the Civil Aviation Authority Abdullah Mohamed al Mannai has said that the thick fog being witnessed across the country has been caused by a phenomenon that occurs every two to three years and is referred to as 'marine layer'.
Mannai said that the fog was caused by sea breeze accompanied by lower temperatures. The combination led to an increase in humidity at sea and shore, which ultimately caused the fog. He noted that December and January are the two months that see the most formation of fog, particularly late at night and early in the morning.
He added that it was highly likely that January will witness similar fog formations, though it will not be as strong as now. Responding to weather Qatar will witness a cold wave in the coming period, he said that a cold wave in Qatar would be when temperatures reaches 12 degrees Celsius and that case was highly unlikely.
Mannai also forecast that humidity will increase in January, calling it a normal happening in winter. However, lower temperatures will ease off the effects of the higher humidity levels, he added.
On driving safely in foggy weather, Mannai said that Met and the Ministry of Interior cooperated in issuing guidelines on how to do drivel safely in a foggy weather. Some of the guidelines include using low lights, lowering the speed and using windshield wipers constantly.
Mannai said that the change in weather patterns in Qatar or elsewhere was a result of global warming.
