UAE weather: Heavy fog blankets country as motorists urged to slow down

Police in Abu Dhabi and Dubai issued warnings for motorists to drive carefully as heavy fog descended over much of the country.

The UAE's weather bureau, the National Centre of Meteorology, released a red weather alert until at least 10.30am on Thursday.

“Dubai Police urges motorists to drive safely and cautiously due to low visibility caused by fog formation across some parts,” the emirate's police wrote on social media platform X.

A similar message was released by Abu Dhabi Police, where several speed limits on major roads were reduced to 80kph.

“Abu Dhabi Police calls on motorists to exercise caution due to reduced visibility during the fog,” the force wrote on X. “They are urged to follow changing speed limits displayed on electronic information boards. Drive Safely.”

The red weather alert issued by the NCM applies in areas where visibility is reduced to 1km.

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

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.

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 to 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 partic