Drivers and air travellers across the UAE should prepare for changeable conditions over the next few days. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) is forecasting rain in parts of the country, along with humid nights and a risk of fog or mist through Wednesday, October 21.
On Saturday, skies are expected to stay fair to partly cloudy. Convective clouds are forecast to build over eastern areas in the afternoon and could bring rain. Overnight humidity raises the chance of fog or mist along some coastal and inland stretches.
Rain chances continue into next week
The NCM expects the unsettled pattern to continue. On Monday, October 19, the chance of rainfall widens to some eastern and southern areas as convective clouds develop in the afternoon. Dusty winds are also in the outlook, with gusts reaching up to 50 km/h at times.
Despite the cloud, it will stay warm. Forecast highs are around 37°C to 42°C in inland areas and 35°C to 40°C along the coast and on the islands. Mountain areas will be cooler, with temperatures of about 28°C to 33°C.
Aviation authority urges caution
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said on Saturday that seasonal weather and reduced horizontal visibility in parts of the country could affect flight operations and cause limited delays. The authority said airlines and airport operators are applying established procedures in line with aviation safety standards, and that any disruption will be handled under strict safety protocols.
Passengers have been advised to follow official airline and airport channels for updates. That advice carries extra weight this weekend, as some carriers are already adjusting schedules to Saudi Arabia for separate security reasons.
Fog has already affected roads
The warnings follow a foggy week on UAE roads. Authorities in Abu Dhabi reduced speed limits after heavy fog this week, and a safety warning was issued in Dubai. On Friday morning, thick fog hung over the E11 highway between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and police in both emirates urged motorists to drive carefully.
Why fog forms in the UAE
Fog is a recurring feature of the UAE’s autumn and winter. According to The National, about 95 per cent of the country’s fog is radiation fog, which forms in the early hours when heat absorbed by the ground during the day radiates back into the air, causing water droplets to form. Advection fog, which develops when moist air moves over a cooler surface, is also seen.
The longest recorded run came in 2010, when January saw 17 days of fog and five days of mist.
Practical advice for the week ahead
Authorities typically ask drivers to slow down in poor visibility, keep a safe distance, use low-beam or fog lights and follow the speed limits shown on electronic road signs. Motorists planning early-morning journeys should allow extra time, particularly on the main highways linking Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the northern emirates.
Anyone flying should check their airline’s app before leaving home, as delays can build quickly when visibility drops at dawn. Residents in the east and south should also keep an eye on NCM alerts for rainfall, which can bring localised flooding in wadis and low-lying areas.
The NCM updates its forecast regularly, and conditions can shift between regions within hours. Residents are advised to rely on official channels for the latest warnings rather than social media forwards.
Comments 1