UAE weather alert: Dense fog and soaring temperatures expected this weekend
Motorists urged to drive cautiously as visibility drops; temperatures to hit up to 48°C
DUBAI: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) woke up to dense fog on Saturday, blanketing parts of the country and prompting a yellow alert from the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).
Visibility plummeted in several western areas, including Ghiyathi and Bada Dafas in the Al Dhafra region, triggering traffic advisories and warnings from authorities. Motorists were urged to drive with extreme caution due to rapidly changing visibility conditions.
Despite the hazy start, the weather will turn harsh later in the day, with inland temperatures forecast to soar between 44°C and 48°C. Coastal areas and islands are expected to endure highs of 40°C to 45°C, while mountainous zones may offer marginal relief with temperatures between 35°C and 40°C. Winds will be light to moderate, reaching speeds up to 30 km/h, and both the Arabian Gulf and Oman Sea will remain calm, with slight waves.
The lowest temperature recorded across the UAE early Saturday was 23.2°C in Ashaab (Abu Dhabi) at 05:30am local time.
UAE weather forecast
Here is the detailed five-day weather forecast for UAE:
| Area | Saturday (°C) | Sunday (°C) | Monday (°C) | Tuesday (°C) | Friday (°C) |
| Abu Dhabi | 47 / 30 | 47 / 30 | 45 / 31 | 44 / 31 | 46 / 28 |
| Dubai | 47 / 32 | 47 / 32 | 45 / 33 | 44 / 31 | 44 / 29 |
| Sharjah | 47 / 25 | 47 / 25 | 45 / 26 | 44 / 25 | 44 / 25 |
| Ajman | 41 / 29 | 41 / 29 | 39 / 30 | 39 / 28 | 39 / 28 |
| Umm Al Quwain | 44 / 26 | 44 / 26 | 42 / 27 | 41 / 25 | 41 / 25 |
| Ras Al Khaimah | 46 / 23 | 46 / 23 | 44 / 25 | 43 / 24 | 44 / 25 |
| Fujairah | 40 / 29 | 40 / 29 | 39 / 30 | 39 / 28 | 40 / 30 |
| Al Ain | 48 / 31 | 48 / 31 | 46 / 32 | 45 / 30 | 46 / 29 |
Sizzling weekend
Saturday’s scorching forecast reflects a broader trend of increasing temperatures this month. Weather experts anticipate continued hot conditions across all emirates, especially inland cities such as Al Ain and Sweihan, where maximums may consistently hit or exceed 48°C. Meanwhile, passing clouds in eastern areas could bring intermittent shade but no meaningful dip in temperature.
Authorities have reiterated safety precautions, advising residents to limit outdoor activities, wear light-coloured clothing, stay hydrated, and avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours.
Record-breaking Friday
Friday marked a significant milestone in the country’s climate history. According to the NCM, the highest temperature recorded was a sweltering 50.4°C in Al Shawamekh (Abu Dhabi) at 2:30pm local time – the hottest temperature ever recorded in May since records began in 2003. This eclipses the previous May record of 50.2°C set in 2009.
The intense heat follows an already record-breaking April, which logged an average daily high of 42.6°C, the highest ever for that month.