The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a red weather alert across parts of the United Arab Emirates as thick fog drastically reduced visibility on Tuesday morning. Transport networks and daily routines encountered severe disruption, particularly across southern regions where atmospheric conditions deteriorated rapidly before dawn.
The emergency advisory was accompanied by yellow alerts for surrounding areas, signaling hazardous driving conditions that could persist through peak travel hours. Local media reports confirmed that foggy conditions stretched across key commuting corridors, prompting emergency responses from regional police forces.
Abu Dhabi Police urged motorists to exercise extreme caution on major highways and arterial roads. Authorities activated dynamic electronic speed limit signs, reducing standard limits to manage traffic flow and prevent collisions in low-visibility zones. Drivers were instructed to maintain safe follow distances, keep fog lights illuminated, and refrain from using hazard lights while moving—a common mistake during severe weather events in the Gulf region.
Meteorological forecasts indicate predominantly clear to partly cloudy skies across the country throughout the afternoon. Humidity levels are expected to surge overnight into Wednesday morning, creating ideal conditions for secondary fog formation along coastal belts and inland plains.
Temperatures across the Emirates will range between 19°C and 39°C. Overnight minimums are projected to drop to 26°C in Abu Dhabi, 27°C in Dubai, and 23°C in Ras Al Khaimah. Atmospheric pressure patterns will keep surface winds light to moderate, initially blowing from the south-east at 10 to 20 km/h before shifting north-westerly later in the day. Wind gusts could temporarily reach up to 35 km/h in exposed areas, while sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea are expected to remain slight to moderate.
Dense morning fog remains a recurring seasonal phenomenon in the UAE during autumn and winter transitions. Rapid radiational cooling of the ground under clear night skies causes moisture near the surface to condense into dense stratus layers, creating hazardous travel environments that require coordinated public safety responses across the Emirates.



