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.
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.
Residents across the UAE are in for another hot summer day, with temperatures expected to climb as high as 47°C in some parts of the country, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
The highest temperatures are forecast in parts of Abu Dhabi, where Al Quaa, Gasyoura and Mezaira are expected to experience sweltering conditions reaching 47°C during the afternoon.
While inland regions face the most intense heat, major cities are likely to see slightly milder temperatures. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are both forecast to reach daytime highs of around 39°C, with conditions remaining hot and humid throughout much of the day.
Relief is expected after sunset, with overnight temperatures dropping to approximately 30°C in Dubai and 29°C in Abu Dhabi.
Dusty conditions expected
Forecasters have also warned of fresh winds developing at times throughout the day.
Southwesterly to northwesterly winds are expected to blow at speeds between 10 and 25 km/h, occasionally strengthening to around 40 km/h. These gusts could trigger blowing dust and sand in exposed areas, potentially affecting visibility in some locations.
Motorists travelling through open desert routes are advised to exercise caution and stay updated on weather conditions throughout the day.
Alert for rough seas
In addition to the heat, the NCM has issued a yellow weather alert for rough sea conditions.
The warning applies to parts of the Arabian Gulf, where strong winds are expected to generate rough waters through Thursday afternoon. The alert remains in effect until 4pm on June 4.
Meanwhile, conditions in the Oman Sea are expected to remain relatively calm, with slight wave activity forecast.
Summer conditions intensify
The latest forecast reflects the UAE’s typical early summer weather pattern, characterised by soaring daytime temperatures, dry conditions and occasional dusty winds.
Authorities continue to advise residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during peak afternoon hours and take extra precautions when spending extended periods in the sun.
Beachgoers, fishermen and recreational boat users are also encouraged to monitor official marine forecasts and heed weather advisories before heading out to sea.
With temperatures nearing 50°C in some areas, the UAE’s summer season is now firmly underway.
The UAE is expected to experience fair but dusty weather this week, with strong winds, rough sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and temperatures reaching up to 46°C.
Residents across the UAE can expect a week of generally fair weather, but strong winds and dusty conditions are likely to impact several parts of the country, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Forecasters say fresh winds will continue to sweep across the UAE over the coming days, stirring dust and sand in open areas and occasionally reducing visibility. Meanwhile, sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are expected to become increasingly rough as the week progresses.
The NCM said current weather patterns are being influenced by weak surface pressure systems combined with an extension of an upper-air high-pressure system, creating stable but windy conditions across the country.
Temperatures are set to remain high, particularly in inland areas where daytime highs could climb between 42°C and 46°C. Coastal and island regions are expected to record temperatures ranging from 35°C to 40°C, while mountainous areas are forecast to see highs between 32°C and 39°C.
Wind speeds are also expected to increase at times, with south-westerly to north-westerly winds reaching up to 40 km/h along coastal areas and as much as 35 km/h inland and across mountainous regions.
While conditions are expected to remain mostly clear and sunny, blowing dust and sand may affect outdoor activities, especially in exposed areas. Residents, motorists and outdoor workers are advised to take necessary precautions during periods of stronger winds.
Marine conditions are also likely to deteriorate during the week. The Arabian Gulf is forecast to remain slight to moderate initially before becoming moderate to rough from Wednesday, with rough seas expected by Friday. In contrast, the Oman Sea is expected to remain relatively calmer.
The latest forecast signals a typical early summer weather pattern for the UAE, marked by soaring temperatures, dry conditions and periodic dust activity driven by seasonal winds.
Authorities continue to advise residents to stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight during peak afternoon hours and monitor official weather updates, particularly those planning marine activities in the Arabian Gulf.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast stable weather conditions across the UAE over the coming days, with a gradual drop in temperatures expected in several coastal areas before stronger winds and rougher sea conditions develop early next week.
According to meteorologists, the country remains affected by weak surface pressure systems combined with an upper atmospheric high-pressure extension, helping maintain generally fair conditions across most regions.
Forecasters said Thursday’s weather will remain mostly clear, although low clouds are likely to appear over parts of the eastern coastline during the morning hours. Humidity levels are also expected to increase overnight and into Friday morning in some coastal locations.
Wind activity is forecast to remain light to moderate initially, with sea conditions staying calm in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea during the next couple of days.
Temperature forecasts indicate that coastal and island areas could record highs between 36°C and 42°C, while internal regions may experience hotter conditions ranging from 42°C to 47°C. Mountainous parts of the country are expected to remain relatively cooler, with temperatures between 32°C and 37°C.
The NCM added that southwesterly to northwesterly winds may strengthen progressively over the weekend, with speeds potentially reaching up to 40km/h between Saturday and Monday.
As winds intensify, sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf are expected to shift from slight to moderate and rough by Sunday and Monday, particularly in exposed offshore areas.
Weather experts also noted that temperatures are likely to continue easing gradually through Sunday, especially across coastal regions, offering residents slightly milder conditions ahead of the peak summer period.