The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) issued red and yellow fog alerts covering Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain on May 26, 2024, warning of negligible road visibility and urging motorists to slow down and take extra care during their morning commute.
Red and Yellow Fog Alert in Force Until 8:30 am
The NCM classified the affected areas under red and yellow warning levels — both of which indicate seriously reduced or negligible visibility. Dense fog was forecast to persist in parts of all three cities until 8:30 am.
Road users across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain were urged to exercise caution on the roads. Visibility during such conditions can drop sharply, making it difficult to judge safe following distances and junction approach speeds.
UAE Weather Forecast for the Day
Beyond the morning fog, the NCM said conditions would transition to generally sunny to partly cloudy skies later in the day, with a slight rise in temperatures. Humidity was expected to build overnight and into Monday morning, with a fresh chance of fog or mist — particularly in coastal and inland areas.
Forecast temperature ranges across the country:
- Inland regions: 41–46°C - Coastal areas and islands: 38–44°C - Mountainous regions: 29–36°C
Winds were expected to be light to moderate from the northwest to northeast, ranging from 10–20 km/h and gusting up to 30 km/h at times. Sea state was described as very low in the Arabian Gulf and moderate to slight in the Oman Sea.
Safety Advice for Motorists
With negligible visibility in several areas, authorities consistently urge drivers in fog conditions to:
- Reduce speed significantly below the posted limit - Increase following distance from the vehicle ahead - Use fog lights rather than full-beam headlights - Avoid abrupt lane changes or overtaking manoeuvres
The NCM fog alert is one of the most direct safety tools available to the public during sudden weather events, and both red and yellow classifications signal that road conditions require heightened caution.
