A woman walks with her face covered during a sand storm in Dubai April 2, 2015.[Photo/Agencies]

DUBAI - An intense sandstorm hit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf states on Thursday, disrupting traffic and delaying flights.

Fuelled by strong winds, the sandstorm reduced visibility to less than 500 meters and snarled traffic in Abu Dhabi.

The hazy weather conditions are expected to continue through Friday, according to UAE's National Center of Meteorology and Seismology.

Flight operations at Dubai and Al-Maktoum international airports were partially disrupted by the sandstorm.

The sandstorm was caused by a high pressure front from Saudi Arabia, which along with Qatar, has shut many of its schools in several parts of the country, citing "extreme weather conditions."

Flight delays also occurred in many other Gulf countries due to reduced visibility.