Gold futures on the COMEX division of the New York Mercantile Exchange fell slightly Monday, as a higher dollar due to the advance of Hurricane Sandy put pressure on the precious metal.

The most active gold contract for December delivery edged down 3.2 dollars, or 0.19 percent, to settle at 1,708.7 dollars per ounce.

Gold continued its slide from the previous session in a trading day marked by particularly low volume. The floor of the New York Stock Exchange was closed Monday due to the approach of Hurricane Sandy, so gold trades were conducted only electronically.

In response to the impending hurricane, the few traders who did act Monday preferred the safe haven investment of the dollar. Although gold has traditionally been known for its safe haven appeal, recently the precious metal has moved in line with riskier assets, investors preferring the dollar as a safe haven.

As the greenback gained strength gold turned lower, as a higher dollar pressures commodities like gold because it makes them more expensive to holders of other currencies.

Crude oil also fell on the trading session, adding to outside market negativity.

Silver for December delivery fell 29.1 cents, or 0.91 percent, to close at 31.745 dollars per ounce.