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.

If you’ve stepped outside and felt the air turn dusty, you’re not imagining it.

The UAE is set for unsettled weather until Thursday, with dusty skies, active winds, changing cloud cover and occasional chances of light rain, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

Forecasters say conditions will vary across the country, with some areas experiencing hazy or dusty weather, while others see partly cloudy skies and isolated light rainfall, especially in northern regions.

For Monday, the NCM predicts fair to partly cloudy conditions, with low clouds forming over eastern and northern areas and a chance of light rain in the far north. Temperatures are expected to drop slightly, particularly in the western parts of the country.

Humidity levels will rise overnight and into Tuesday morning, increasing the possibility of fog or light mist.

Winds will range from light to moderate, becoming stronger at times, blowing northwesterly to southwesterly at speeds of 15–30km/h, and reaching up to 40km/h in exposed areas. These winds could kick up dust, reducing visibility at times.

Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf will be moderate to rough, while waves in the Sea of Oman are expected to remain light.

Authorities are urging motorists to drive with caution, particularly during the early morning hours, when dust, fog or mist could reduce visibility on roads.