UAE weather: Red alert issued as heavy fog covers large parts of country

UAE residents have been warned to expect foggy mornings until at least the weekend.

The National Centre of Meteorology on Wednesday warned of a chance of fog formation over some coastal and internal areas every day until Sunday.

It came as a red alert was issued after heavy fog enveloped parts of the country.

The alert was in place over vast swathes of Abu Dhabi emirate, from Habshan and Liwa in the west to the capital and Al Ain.

Police in the emirate also reduced the speed limit to 80kph on some roads amid the challenging conditions.

In its five day-bulletin issued on Wednesday, the NCM warned residents could experience similar conditions on Thursday morning over some coastal and internal areas.

“[It will be] fair to partly cloudy and low clouds will appear westward over the sea and islands,” the NCM said in its Thursday forecast.

“[It will be] humid by night and Friday morning over some coastal and internal areas, with a chance of fog or mist formation.”

It added that north-easterly to north-westerly winds could reach speeds up to 40kph and kick up dust clouds.

Similar conditions are expected into the weekend along with a decrease in temperatures, the NCM said.

It comes as the UAE continues its shift into the winter, bringing cooler days and, often, foggy conditions.

The lowest temperature recorded in the UAE on Wednesday was 9.2°C in Raknah, Al Ain.

Raknah regularly experience freezing conditions. In 2021, temperatures sank to minus 5°C.

Fog can also cause major disruption, particularly during the winter, which can affect airline schedules and cause problems on the roads.

Most fog that occurs in the UAE is radiation fog and happens when the desert surface cools rapidly and, in turn, cools the moist air close the surface that has typically been carried inland by sea breezes during the day.

This reduces the ability of the air to hold moisture – causing fog to form.

Fog also requires particles in the air such as dust, as water vapour condenses around them.

It typically burns off by later in the morning.

The NCM's red alert on Wednesday was issued until 9am in Abu Dhabi.

Police urged motorists to drive with caution until the fog had lifted on its social media channels.

“Abu Dhabi Police call on motorists to exercise caution due to reduced visibility during the fog,” police in Abu Dhabi said on X.

“They are urged to follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. Drive safely.”