Residents in Dubai woke up on Tuesday morning to unusually dense fog that blanketed much of the emirate, sharply reducing visibility and affecting road and air travel across the region.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai shared a striking image on his official Instagram account, capturing Dubai’s iconic skyline, including the Burj Khalifa and Burj Al Arab, emerging above a thick layer of white mist as the fog settled over the city. The photograph quickly circulated online, highlighting the dramatic weather conditions.

Sheikh Hamdan’s shared image drew attention to the rare visual phenomenon of Dubai’s skyline appearing almost like an island of skyscrapers above a sea of morning mist, a reminder of the seasonal weather patterns that can occur in the UAE.

Visibility drops and travel disruption

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) had issued a visibility warning early Tuesday, with fog expected to linger until around 10am, significantly impacting morning commutes. Heavy fog was reported across Dubai and neighbouring emirates, including Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, with visibility dropping to just a few hundred metres in some areas.

Traffic authorities urged motorists to reduce speed, use fog lights, and maintain safe following distances, as dense patches caused slower-than-usual travel conditions on major routes such as the E311 Emirates Road.

Airport delays and commuter impact

The morning fog also affected travel at Dubai International Airport, where some arrivals and departures were delayed due to limited visibility. Passengers were advised to check the status of flights before travelling to the airport.

Five-Day forecast: Mist risk to continue

According to the NCM’s five-day national forecast, the current alert follows a period of fluctuating temperatures and changing maritime conditions.

While Tuesday is expected to see a rise in temperatures under fair to partly cloudy skies, humidity will build overnight, increasing the risk of mist formation across western coastal regions into Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, similar conditions are forecast, with overnight and early Thursday humidity bringing a risk of mist in some internal areas. Southeasterly winds will shift north-westerly and freshen westwards by night, reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h. Seas will build from slight to moderate, becoming rough in the Arabian Gulf by night.

Temperatures are expected to ease on Thursday under fair to partly cloudy skies, with inland areas facing a risk of fog overnight into Friday. North-westerly to south-westerly winds may again reach up to 40 km/h. Sea conditions are forecast to remain moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf, with rough seas developing in the Oman Sea by evening.

On Friday, skies will stay fair to partly cloudy, especially westwards, while rough morning seas are expected to subside gradually.

By Saturday, temperatures will edge up once more under fair to partly cloudy skies, accompanied by lighter winds and slight to moderate seas.

Safety advice and forecast

Authorities urged drivers, especially on school bus routes and early commuters, to take extra care on the roads. The visibility advisory is expected to ease as the fog lifts later in the morning, while weather forecasts suggest fair to partly cloudy conditions with rising temperatures throughout the day.

(Additional photos and videos by Sudha Dash)

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast generally moderate weather conditions across the UAE during Ramadan 2026, which falls in the second half of February and the first half of March.

Moderate days, cooler nights

Daytime temperatures are expected to remain moderate during the first half of Ramadan, with a slight rise anticipated toward the end of the month. Nights will be pleasant overall, turning relatively cool during late-night and early-morning hours, particularly in inland and mountainous areas.

According to climatological data, average maximum temperatures will range between 26°C and 32°C, with some inland areas potentially reaching up to 40°C at midday.

Average minimum temperatures are expected to range between 18°C and 21°C, while certain mountainous and inland locations could see temperatures drop to near or below 0°C in the early morning.

Rainfall outlook

Weather patterns during this period are typically influenced by the Siberian High pressure system, which can occasionally weaken, allowing low-pressure systems to move across the region. If combined with upper-level troughs, these systems may increase cloud formation and bring rainfall.

However, long-term forecasts indicate that rainfall is expected to be around or below the seasonal average of 8mm for the month. For comparison, the highest 24-hour rainfall recorded during this period reached 287.6mm in Al Shuwaib on March 9, 2016.

Fog, humidity and winds

Humidity levels are likely to increase during nighttime and early morning hours, creating favourable conditions for fog and mist in some areas.

• Average maximum relative humidity: 70–85% (night and early morning)
• Average minimum relative humidity: 20–35% (daytime)

Winds are expected to be southeasterly during the night and morning, shifting to northwesterly in the afternoon and evening due to land and sea breeze circulation.

The average wind speed is around 13 km/h, though stronger winds may occur with active weather systems, potentially causing blowing dust and sand in exposed areas. The strongest recorded gust during this period reached 141 km/h at Jebel Mebreh on February 27, 2010.

Fasting hours in the UAE

Fasting hours at the start of Ramadan will be approximately 12 hours and 46 minutes, gradually increasing to around 13 hours and 25 minutes by the end of the month, based on Abu Dhabi and surrounding areas. Minor variations may occur depending on location.

Passengers travelling through Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are advised to check their flight status after adverse weather conditions disrupted airport operations early Tuesday.

Dubai Airports confirmed that 12 flights were cancelled and 23 inbound flights diverted after weather conditions affected aircraft movements at both airports. Disruptions began in the early hours of the morning.

Airport authorities said they are working closely with airlines and service partners to restore normal operations and minimise inconvenience to passengers. Travellers are strongly advised to contact their airline directly for the latest updates before heading to the airport.

What travellers should know

• Flight delays, cancellations or diversions may continue, particularly during early morning and late-night hours
• Fog or mist is possible across coastal and inland areas, which could impact visibility
• Passengers should allow extra travel time to reach the airport and monitor airline notifications closely

Passenger advice

• Check your flight status before leaving home
• Sign up for airline alerts and notifications
• Arrive early and be prepared for possible schedule changes

Dubai Airports said it will continue to monitor weather conditions and provide updates as needed.

Foggy conditions to prevail throughout week

Meanwhile, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast fair to partly cloudy conditions across the UAE in the coming days, with high humidity overnight increasing the risk of fog.

From Wednesday to Saturday, fair to partly cloudy conditions are expected, with rising temperatures and high humidity at night and in the early morning. Fog or mist may form on several days.

Dubai RTA and Sharjah Police have urged motorists to drive with caution, expect delays and allow extra travel time, especially on major roads during early morning hours.