If you’re heading out this week, keep an eye on the sky. Weather conditions across the UAE are set to stay unsettled through midweek, with fluctuating cloud cover, light rain, strengthening winds and increasingly rough seas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Today, skies will be partly cloudy to cloudy at times, especially over coastal and northern areas, where light rain may fall. Temperatures are expected to rise gradually, while southeasterly to northeasterly winds will blow at light to moderate speeds, picking up occasionally. Sea conditions are forecast to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Tuesday will bring similar conditions, with cloudy spells and a chance of light morning rain in coastal and northern regions. Humidity is expected to increase overnight and into Wednesday morning, raising the risk of fog or mist, particularly in inland areas. Winds will shift from south-westerly to north-westerly and strengthen by night, with seas turning from slight to moderate and rough.

Conditions are expected to worsen on Wednesday, as temperatures drop and north-westerly winds intensify. The NCM has warned of blowing dust and sand, which could reduce visibility, with wind speeds reaching up to 55km/h. Seas are forecast to be rough to very rough in the Arabian Gulf and rough in the Sea of Oman.

By Thursday, skies will remain partly cloudy to cloudy at times, with humid conditions returning overnight into early Friday, increasing the chance of fog or mist in some western inland and coastal areas. Winds will stay moderate to fresh, occasionally stirring up dust and sand, while sea conditions remain moderate to rough.

The NCM has advised residents, especially motorists and those heading out to sea, to exercise caution, as fog, dust and strong winds could impact visibility and safety throughout the week.

If you’re heading out over the next few days, expect a proper winter shake-up across the UAE. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast unsettled weather from Thursday through Monday, January 19, with cooler temperatures, strong winds, dusty conditions, possible rainfall, and rough seas, especially in the Arabian Gulf.

What to expect day by day

It will be humid in some coastal and northern regions on Thursday. There’s a chance of rain, alongside a noticeable drop in temperatures, particularly in the western parts of the country. Winds may strengthen, especially over the sea.

On Friday, conditions will turn dusty and partly cloudy. Temperatures are expected to fall significantly, while strong winds could cause blowing dust. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are forecast to be very rough.

Saturday will remain partly cloudy, with moderate to fresh winds and rough seas continuing.

By Sunday, humidity will increase in the morning, with a chance of mist inland and partly cloudy to cloudy skies at times. Sea conditions may become rough intermittently.

On Monday, expect humid morning conditions with a chance of fog or mist inland, partly cloudy to cloudy skies over coastal and northern areas, a chance of rainfall, and a gradual rise in temperatures.

Stay safe

NCM has urged residents to stay updated with official forecasts and to exercise caution, particularly during dusty conditions and when heading out to sea.

If you’re heading out early in the morning, you might want to slow things down as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a weather warning for thick fog expected to form across several parts of the UAE.

According to NCM, visibility could drop to near zero at times, especially in some coastal and inland areas. The foggy conditions are expected to last until 10:00 am this morning.

Humidity levels will rise at night and into Wednesday morning, increasing the chance of fog or mist in some coastal and internal areas.

Motorists are urged to take extra caution on the roads, stick to speed limits, and follow all traffic safety instructions due to low visibility conditions, especially late at night and early morning hours.

As for the rest of the day, the weather will be fair to partly cloudy across the country. Temperatures are expected to hit 25°C in both Abu Dhabi and Dubai, with overnight lows of around 15°C in Abu Dhabi and 17°C in Dubai.

Winds will be light to moderate, blowing from the southeasterly to northeasterly direction at speeds of 10 to 25 km/h, occasionally picking up to 35 km/h.

Sea conditions will remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

In a message shared on social media, Abu Dhabi Police confirmed that the maximum speed limit on roads is reduced to 80 km/h during fog. Drivers are urged to pay close attention to electronic information boards, which display updated speed limits based on weather conditions.