Weather

Dense fog blankets Dubai, Sheikh Hamdan shares striking skyline photo

Published

6 months ago

February 24, 2026

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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)

Related Topics:DubaiFog dubainews DubaiSkyline FogAdvisory sheikhhamdan TrafficAlert uaeweather UAEWeatherToday uaeweekly weather weather forecast

Michael Gomes

With over 35 years of experience in journalism, copywriting, and PR, Michael Gomes is a seasoned media professional deeply rooted in the UAE’s print and digital landscape.

News

UAE 50°C temperatures and morning fog: What UAE residents need to know before heading out

Published

2 weeks ago

August 17, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE residents can expect very hot weather, rising humidity and possible fog or mist in the coming days, with a chance of rainfall over eastern areas.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), skies will remain fair to partly cloudy, with convective clouds potentially developing over eastern areas in the afternoon and bringing rain.

Humidity is expected to increase overnight and on Tuesday morning, particularly over some western coastal areas. This could lead to fog or mist and reduced visibility.

Motorists have been advised to take extra care during early morning drives and adjust their speed when visibility is poor.

Temperatures approach 50°C

Meanwhile, daytime temperatures will remain exceptionally high across the country. Coastal areas are expected to reach 40°C to 45°C, while temperatures in inland areas could climb to 49°C.

Light winds and calm seas

Winds are expected to be light to moderate, becoming fresh at times. Sea conditions will remain slight, with waves reaching around two feet onshore and three feet offshore.

With extreme daytime heat continuing alongside higher humidity and possible fog, residents are advised to plan outdoor activities carefully and exercise caution on the roads during periods of reduced visibility.

Events

Perseids meteor shower in UAE tonight: Best spots to watch as heat hits 45°C

Published

3 weeks ago

August 12, 2026

Michael Gomes

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UAE residents looking for something to do after sunset can turn their eyes to the sky tonight as the Perseids meteor shower makes an appearance.

For the best chance of seeing the celestial display, darker locations away from the bright lights of the cities could be worth the drive. The UAE’s mountainous areas, including Jebel Jais and Jebel Hafeet, are among the cooler options for spending an evening outdoors.

The meteor shower arrives as the country experiences another hot summer day, with temperatures expected to reach 45°C in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain.

Where can you watch the shower in the UAE?

The UAE’s mountainous regions can offer more favourable conditions for stargazing because they are farther from urban light pollution.

Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah and Jebel Hafeet in Al Ain are two popular options for those looking to escape the city lights and watch the night sky.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) expects temperatures in mountainous areas to remain comparatively lower, at around 32°C to 38°C.

If you’re planning to watch from a remote location, choose an established and safe viewing area, and check conditions before setting out.

Chances of rain in the east

While the skies may be the main attraction tonight, the weather earlier in the day could be less predictable in parts of eastern UAE.

The NCM forecasts fair to partly cloudy conditions, with the possibility of convective clouds developing over eastern areas during the afternoon.

That could bring rainfall to places such as Fujairah, Kalba and Khor Fakkan.

Sea conditions remain slight

The NCM expects slight sea conditions in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Anyone planning marine activities should check the latest official forecast before heading out.

So while the UAE remains firmly in summer mode, tonight offers residents a chance to swap city lights for the night sky and look out for the Perseids.

News

UAE weather alert: Rain chances continue as temperatures climb to 50°C

Published

4 weeks ago

August 6, 2026

Michael Gomes

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The UAE is set for another spell of scorching heat, with temperatures expected to reach 50°C in some inland areas, while afternoon convective clouds could bring scattered rain to parts of the country through the weekend.

According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), the unstable weather is being driven by a surface low-pressure system combined with an upper-air trough, creating favourable conditions for cloud formation.

Rain is expected mainly over eastern and southern areas on Thursday and Friday, before extending to some inland regions on Saturday. On Sunday, showers could develop over eastern and western parts of the UAE, with the focus shifting back to eastern and southern areas on Monday.

Winds will be light to moderate but could freshen to 40–45 km/h, especially around convective clouds, causing blowing dust and reduced visibility in exposed areas.

Temperatures are forecast to range between 45°C and 50°C inland, while coastal areas can expect highs of 42°C to 47°C. Sea conditions will remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Residents in areas affected by convective clouds are advised to stay updated with the latest NCM weather alerts, as conditions can change quickly.