UAE weather: Fog alerts, light rain and rough seas forecast through midweek
Low visibility warnings issued for motorists and marine operators
DUBAI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) began the week under a fog and low visibility alert, with the National Centre of Meteorology warning of reduced horizontal visibility across some internal and coastal areas early on Monday.
Fog formation was expected from 1:00am until 10:00am, prompting authorities to urge motorists to exercise caution during early morning travel. As the day progressed, conditions were forecast to turn fair to partly cloudy, with a chance of light rainfall developing at night.
Temperatures are expected to rise slightly on Monday, supported by light to moderate southeasterly to northeasterly winds. Sea conditions are forecast to remain slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, offering relatively calm marine conditions during daylight hours.
Monday outlook
According to the NCM, humid conditions accompanying the fog may linger into the morning hours, particularly in inland and coastal areas. While skies remain mostly fair, cloud cover is expected to increase at times, with light rain possible overnight. Visibility reductions during early hours remain the primary concern for road users, especially on highways connecting coastal and internal regions.
Midweek shift
Weather conditions are set to change on Tuesday as humidity increases during the morning, raising the likelihood of light rain over coastal and northern parts of the country. Temperatures are forecast to decrease slightly over western areas, while winds shift to a northwesterly direction and strengthen over the sea. By evening, sea conditions are expected to turn moderate to rough, marking the start of more unsettled marine weather.
By Wednesday, conditions are expected to intensify. Morning fog may return over some internal areas, accompanied by a noticeable drop in temperatures. Northwesterly winds are forecast to strengthen further, becoming moderate to fresh and blowing dust and sand across exposed areas. Wind speeds could reach up to 55 kilometres per hour, potentially reducing horizontal visibility at times.
Sea conditions during midweek are forecast to be rough to very rough in the Arabian Gulf and rough in the Sea of Oman, reflecting the peak of the unsettled weather system.
Wind impact
The NCM has highlighted the impact of strong winds through Wednesday, warning of blowing dust and sand that may affect visibility, particularly in open inland areas and along highways. These conditions are expected to persist into Thursday, with winds remaining moderate to fresh and strengthening at times.
Late week trend
On Thursday, skies are expected to remain fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds forming over some coastal and northern areas. Humidity is forecast to increase again by night, extending into early Friday morning, particularly over western inland and coastal regions. Fog or mist may form in some locations, bringing another period of reduced visibility.
By Friday, temperatures are expected to rise, with partly cloudy skies becoming cloudy at times during the night. Sea conditions are forecast to gradually ease, becoming slight by the end of the week, signalling a calmer close after several days of unsettled weather across the UAE.