The weather is shaking things up a bit this weekend in the UAE. Say goodbye to the usual clear, dry winter days and hello to more clouds, a touch of humidity, and even a chance of light rain across parts of the country.

A weak low-pressure system from the east, plus a little nudge from the upper atmosphere, is giving us a bit of variety. Nothing extreme, but don’t be surprised if your morning drive feels misty or hazy.

Here’s the lowdown:

Friday:

• Skies: Fair to partly cloudy
• Winds: Light to moderate, gusty at times
• Humidity: Rising overnight, especially in western areas, watch for mist at dawn
• Temps: Coastal highs 19–24°C, inland up to 25°C, nights dipping to 7°C; mountains cooler (9–16°C, lows near 5°C)
• Sea: Calm to moderate in the Arabian Gulf, slight in the Oman Sea

Saturday:

• Skies: Cloudier by evening along the coast and north
• Rain: Small chance over the sea
• Winds: Southeasterly to northeasterly, up to 35 km/h
• Humidity is expected to stay high, so mornings may be hazy

Sunday:

• Skies: More clouds across coastal, northern, and eastern areas
• Rain: Chance of light showers continues
• Winds: Shifting northwest, picking up over the Arabian Gulf, rough seas possible at night

Looking ahead:

• Monday: Cooler with cloudy spells, fog or mist overnight/early morning
• Tuesday: Skies start to clear, but humidity and early-morning mist linger in some areas

Keep a light jacket handy, maybe an umbrella, and enjoy the mild change in weather; it’s a refreshing break from the usual sunny winter weather. Road users should be careful when driving late at night or early in the morning, as mist and fog could affect visibility.

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.