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.

Round three of Norway Chess 2026 delivered another explosive day of elite competition, with Indian grandmaster Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu scoring one of the biggest wins of his career against World No 1 Magnus Carlsen.

The highly anticipated clash unfolded as a tense strategic battle before turning dramatic in severe time pressure. Praggnanandhaa held the initiative for much of the game and appeared to be steadily outplaying the Norwegian star. Carlsen briefly turned the tables late in the contest, creating hopes of another escape act, but a critical blunder moments later forced the five-time world champion to resign immediately.

The victory marks another significant milestone for the Indian prodigy, who continues to establish himself among the strongest players on the global chess circuit.

Meanwhile, tournament leader Alireza Firouzja faced reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in a hard-fought encounter that ended in a classical draw after a tense positional struggle.

Firouzja later emerged victorious in the Armageddon tiebreak, earning the extra points needed to preserve his lead at the top of the standings.

The third matchup between Vincent Keymer and Wesley So also remained evenly balanced throughout the classical portion before Wesley So claimed victory in Armageddon.

Women’s round

In the women’s tournament, every classical game once again ended level, forcing all three matchups into Armageddon deciders.

Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun and Zhu Jiner produced a tense battle in which Zhu held strong winning chances at one stage but could not fully convert her advantage in classical play. Zhu later recovered to win the Armageddon game and secure the additional points.

Anna Muzychuk and Humpy Koneru also split the point in classical chess before Muzychuk prevailed in the tiebreak.

Another intense matchup saw tournament leader Bibisara Assaubayeva battle rising Indian talent Divya Deshmukh in a complicated struggle that eventually finished drawn. Divya later captured the Armageddon victory to continue closing the gap in the standings.

Despite the strong performances from her rivals, Assaubayeva remains in first place in Norway Chess Women after three rounds of intense competition in Oslo.

With roads across the UAE expected to become significantly busier during the Eid Al Adha holidays, Abu Dhabi Police has called on motorists to avoid using mobile phones while driving, particularly for sending or checking Eid greeting messages.

Officials warned that even a few seconds of distraction behind the wheel can dramatically increase the risk of traffic accidents, especially during the festive period when many families travel for prayers, social visits and celebrations.

Drivers were urged to remain fully attentive while on the road and avoid interacting with messaging applications or social media platforms during their journeys. Authorities advised residents to share Eid greetings either before leaving home or after safely parking their vehicles.

Police stressed that taking one’s eyes off the road, even briefly, can reduce reaction times and make it harder for drivers to respond effectively in sudden emergency situations.

Violators face fine and black points

Under UAE traffic regulations, motorists caught driving inattentively can face fines of Dh800 along with four black points on their licence. Violations include using mobile phones while driving as well as other distracting activities such as eating, applying makeup or adjusting in-car devices while the vehicle is in motion.

Strict rules in Dubai

Authorities in Dubai also highlighted stricter traffic enforcement measures. Dubai Police has been authorised to impound vehicles for up to 30 days for dangerous driving offences, including mobile phone use, tailgating and sudden lane swerving.

The vehicle impoundment penalties are applied alongside existing federal fines and black point violations, as authorities continue efforts to improve road safety and reduce preventable accidents across the country.

Police have urged all road users to drive responsibly during Eid and cooperate with traffic laws to help ensure a safer holiday period for residents and visitors alike.