Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Feb 10: Dense fog blanketed several parts of the UAE early Tuesday morning, severely affecting visibility and disrupting the daily commute, prompting weather and transport authorities to issue urgent warnings and advisories.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued red and yellow alerts on February 10, cautioning that horizontal visibility had dropped sharply in several coastal and internal regions and could deteriorate further until around 9 am. The fog coincided with peak travel hours, raising safety concerns on major highways.
Authorities warned motorists that visibility could reduce suddenly, increasing the risk of accidents if speed and safe following distance were not maintained.
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) urged drivers to strictly follow fog safety guidelines. Digital signboards across the city displayed cautionary messages as traffic volumes rose during the morning rush.
In Abu Dhabi, residents received direct alerts on their mobile phones, informing them that speed limits had been reduced on several roads due to thick fog. Drivers were advised to exercise extreme caution while travelling.
Despite the foggy conditions, temperatures across the UAE are expected to remain mild. Weather officials said humidity will increase at night and during early morning hours on Wednesday, February 11.
Daytime temperatures in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are forecast to hover around 29°C, with overnight lows near 18°C. Sharjah is also expected to record a high of 29°C, while temperatures there may dip to 15°C at night. Across the country, temperatures could fall to as low as 8°C in Jebel Jais, while Liwa in Abu Dhabi may record a high of 32°C.
Light to moderate south-westerly winds, shifting to north-easterly, are expected, with speeds ranging between 10 and 20 kmph and gusts reaching up to 30 kmph. Sea conditions are forecast to be moderate to slight in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.
Authorities have advised residents to remain alert during early morning hours and to keep track of official weather updates as conditions continue to evolve.