Dubai Weather: Heavy Fog Triggers Traffic Delays; Temperatures To Reach up to 28º
Heavy fog triggered red alerts across the UAE on Wednesday, February 11, slashing visibility and doubling commute times between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Police reduced speed limits to 80km/h and diverted trucks to improve safety. As fog cleared, the NCM forecast warmer weather with highs of 30°C, though mist is expected to return by Thursday morning.
Heavy fog blanketed large areas of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday (February 11) morning, prompting the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) to issue red and yellow alerts. The dense conditions, which lasted until 10:00 AM, significantly reduced road visibility and led to major travel delays, even as forecasters predicted a gradual increase in daytime temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees celsius.
The fog severely impacted morning traffic, particularly on the busy corridor between Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Commuters reported that travel times doubled, with some drivers describing "zero visibility" during the early hours.
Fog Alert in UAE
In response, Abu Dhabi Police implemented emergency safety protocols, reducing speed limits to 80km/h on several major highways. To manage the risk, traffic authorities directed heavy trucks and buses to pull off the motorways at the Ghantoot border, allowing only passenger cars to proceed until conditions improved.
"It was completely dense; we could not see anything at all," Sushant Dalai, who commutes from Dubai to Abu Dhabi’s industrial center, told The National. "It usually takes 55 minutes, but today it took more than two hours." UAE Grocery Price Drop: Choithrams Slashes Prices Permanently on 10,000 Essentials, Know Which Staples Are Getting Cheaper.
Abu Dhabi, Dubai Temperature Forecast
As the fog cleared by late morning, the NCM projected a warmer day across the country. Temperatures are expected to peak at 30°C in inland areas.
- Abu Dhabi: Highs of 29°C, lows of 17°C.
- Dubai: Highs of 28°C, lows of 18°C.
Humidity is expected to rise again overnight, with a high probability of mist or fog reforming over coastal regions and islands by early Thursday morning.
Atmospheric Conditions
The weather remains generally fair to partly cloudy. Light to moderate winds, shifting between Southeasterly and Northeasterly, are expected at speeds of 10–20km/h, occasionally gusting to 30km/h. Marine conditions are reported as "slight" in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea, indicating calm waters for maritime activities. UAE Lottery Secures WLA Certification, Strengthens Responsible Gaming Framework.
Seasonal Fog in UAE
Dense fog is a common seasonal occurrence in the UAE during late winter, often caused by a sharp drop in surface temperatures combined with high humidity. This week's conditions follow a multi-vehicle accident on Tuesday near Yas Island, which led experts to reiterate the importance of following electronic speed limit signs during low-visibility events.
While road travel was heavily impacted, operations at Abu Dhabi Airport remained largely stable, with flight schedules showing minimal disruption as of Wednesday morning.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 11, 2026 03:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).