The thick blanket of fog that enveloped many parts of Qatar late on Thursday night, early morning and late night on Friday, is expected to prevail early Saturday also.

"The fog was so thick after Thursday midnight that it took me double the time on my drive home through the regular route," a Doha resident told Gulf Times.
Visibility had dropped to a few feet at many places in Doha, forcing motorists to drive very slow. The fog, which lingered on until 10am in various locations across the country prevented many residents from conducting their usual outdoor and recreational activities on Friday, it is learnt.


The fog forced dhow operators to stay moored morning. PICTURE: Noushad Thekkayil.



Members of Qatar Chain Reaction brave the foggy weather during their Friday ride.


Public parks, which are popular places for picnickers, cyclists, joggers, walkers and skateboarders, among others who hold their regular sessions, attracted less visitors.
Cyclists and families who frequent the Doha Festival City’s Outdoor Leisure Trail seemed to have postponed their weekly ride on Friday.
The 4.5km track, which opened on October 21, features a running and walking path, and a dedicated lane for cycling enthusiasts.
“Normally a lot of families and children can be seen here in the morning but the foggy and cold weather probably changed their mind and preferred to stay home,” an employee of the mall told Gulf Times.
Other public parks such as Aspire Park, Souq Waqif park, and Hotel Park witnessed a decline in the number of visitors yesterday morning, including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) Park, which is open to the public round-the-clock.
The weather also prevented dhows from sailing, keeping them at bay until before noon for a cruise. However, the foggy conditions failed to dampen the spirit of some some cyclists, who are members of the Qatar Chain Reaction (QCR). They conducted their Friday ride from Doha to Al Khor despite low visibility along the whole stretch of the highway.
The cyclists who posted their pictures on QCR’s Facebook page described their experience on social media as “nice, different ride… North European environment.”
On Thursday, Qatar’s Traffic Department at the Ministry of Interior advised motorists on its social media channels to drive safely due to low visibility in several roads outside the city caused by heavy fog.
The inshore and offshore forecast for Saturday is expected poor horizontal visibility at places at first due to fog. The maximum temperature of 27C is expected in Doha and at Mesaieed, Wakrah, and Al Khor, followed by 24C at Abu Samra and 23C at Ruwais and Dukhan.
The minimum temperature of 9C is expected at Abu Samra, followed by 11C at Mesaieed, Wakrah, Al Khor and Dukhan, 15C at Ruwais and 16C in Doha.

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