Earlier today, the UAE was hit by a dense fog that blanketed various regions, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, and the Al Dhafra area, leading to significant visibility issues. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) responded swiftly, issuing red and yellow alerts for areas most impacted by the fog. The thick fog was expected to persist in certain interior regions until 9:30 AM, making travel conditions hazardous.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi’s Foggy Morning
Residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi woke up to an unusually thick fog that engulfed several areas, making it difficult to navigate even the most familiar streets. The NCM’s detailed weather warnings indicated that the fog covered prominent locations such as Al Lisaili, Al Qudra, Expo, and Emirates Road in Dubai. In Abu Dhabi, several key roads were affected, including Saih Shuaib, Sheikh Maktoum Bin Rashid Road, and areas stretching from Al Falah to Ajban.
The thick fog also crept into the outskirts, affecting more remote areas like Ghantout and Al Rahabah, further complicating travel across the emirates. Visibility was so poor in some spots that drivers were forced to slow down or come to a halt entirely.
Red and Yellow Alerts: A Call for Caution
The NCM issued a red alert for some regions, including parts of Al Ain and Al Dhafra, highlighting the severity of the weather conditions. A red alert is the most critical level, signaling that residents and drivers should avoid non-essential travel if possible.
Meanwhile, the yellow alert was issued for other regions that were experiencing less intense fog but still faced significant visibility reductions. Both alerts urged drivers to take extra precautions on the roads, reducing speeds, using headlights, and maintaining greater distances between vehicles to prevent accidents.
Weather Conditions and Temperatures: What’s Next?
As the fog eventually began to clear, the NCM provided an updated forecast for the rest of the day. While the fog was expected to linger in some interior areas until mid-morning, the country as a whole was set to experience clear skies, occasionally turning partly cloudy. The possibility of fog or mist forming again was a concern for coastal and interior regions, so residents were advised to stay alert for further weather updates.
Temperature forecasts revealed that coastal areas across the UAE would see daytime temperatures ranging from 24°C to 28°C, offering a mild climate despite the morning’s chilly start. However, nighttime temperatures were expected to dip between 13°C and 17°C in coastal and island regions, marking a noticeable drop from the daytime highs.
Winds were forecast to remain light to moderate throughout the day, with speeds reaching up to 40 km/h along the coastal zones. This moderate breeze would provide some relief from the foggy conditions but wouldn’t be enough to fully dissipate the haze in affected areas.
Driving Safety: Navigating Foggy Roads
Driving during foggy weather requires extra caution, and authorities have urged all motorists to adapt to the challenging conditions. Reduced visibility is the primary danger, with fog obscuring traffic signs, road markings, and other vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.
To ensure safety, drivers are advised to:
- Reduce speed: Slowing down is essential in foggy conditions, where even short distances can become hard to judge.
- Use low beams: High beams can reflect off the fog and make visibility worse, so drivers should switch to their vehicle’s low beam headlights.
- Increase following distance: Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead allows for more reaction time in case of sudden stops or slowdowns.
- Avoid sudden maneuvers: Quick lane changes or sharp turns could be dangerous when visibility is limited.
Authorities also recommended that people with non-essential travel delay their trips to minimize risks on the road. For those who needed to drive, staying updated with the latest weather warnings and traffic reports was essential.
Looking Ahead: Is Fog a Regular Threat?
The fog that swept through the UAE today is not an uncommon occurrence, especially during the cooler months when temperature fluctuations and high humidity create ideal conditions for fog to form. This phenomenon is most common during early morning hours, dissipating by late morning or early afternoon as temperatures rise and the sun burns through the mist.
However, the NCM has made it clear that foggy conditions will continue to be a concern in certain areas, particularly during transitional weather periods. As such, residents and visitors alike should stay prepared for foggy mornings, especially when traveling to areas known for poor visibility.
Conclusion: Staying Safe in Changing Conditions
The UAE’s foggy morning served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of its weather. While the country is often associated with clear skies and sunshine, dense fog can make its presence known unexpectedly, impacting both residents and travelers. The critical weather warnings from the NCM played a key role in keeping the public informed, and it is essential that everyone continues to monitor official updates when severe weather conditions like this occur.
Despite these temporary disruptions, the weather is expected to clear up, providing a welcome break from the fog as temperatures remain moderate throughout the day. Residents and visitors are encouraged to stay safe, follow travel advisories, and enjoy the clearer skies that will follow. Check weather forecast.
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