Kuwait is bracing for another spell of thick fog, with the Met Office forecasting its return on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. The weather phenomenon is expected to disrupt air traffic, with Kuwait Airways warning passengers that the schedule of some flights might be changed due to the fog in Kuwait.
Weather Conditions Leading to Fog
The Acting head of the Kuwait Meteorological Department, Dherar Al-Ali, explained that Kuwait will come under high pressure from the northwesterly direction, accompanied by high humidity and saturated southeasterly winds blowing over Kuwait after crossing the Arabian Gulf waters. This system will lead to a sharp drop in temperatures in most areas, especially in the desert, resulting in thick fog.
The temperature in Salmi on the Saudi border recorded in the early morning of Wednesday was just 11 degrees Celsius, and was 12 degrees C in Abdaly near the border with Iraq. A drop in temperature accompanied by high humidity is the main factor for the formation of fog. However, the Met Office has warned that the visibility is expected to be less than 100 meters and may be nil over some areas during the night and early morning hours on Thursday.
Impact on Air Traffic
Kuwait was impacted early Sunday with heavy fog that began at 2 am and continued until 10 am, disrupting air traffic as authorities diverted several flights to neighboring countries and delayed the departure of many others. The Met Office issued a warning on Wednesday that the fog is likely to impact Kuwait over the next few days. Meanwhile, some showers are expected on Saturday and Sunday, according to the weather forecast.
Kuwait Airways issued a statement on its X account informing passengers that some flights may be affected by the fog and advised them to update their contact information so they could be reached by the customer service to inform them about the status of their flights. Additionally, the airline is taking necessary precautions to minimize disruptions caused by the fog.
Precautions and Forecast
The Met Office warning is valid between 9 pm on Wednesday until 9 am the next day. Passengers are advised to check with their airline for the latest updates on their flight status. Furthermore, travelers planning to visit Kuwait during this period should be prepared for potential disruptions due to the fog.
In conclusion, Kuwait is expected to experience thick fog on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, leading to potential disruptions in air traffic. The Met Office has issued a warning, and Kuwait Airways has advised passengers to update their contact information to stay informed about their flight status. With the fog likely to impact Kuwait over the next few days, it is essential for travelers to be prepared and stay updated with the latest weather forecast.
