UAE Drivers Warned as Dense Fog and Reduced Speed Limits Continue Until Tuesday

Drivers travelling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to face challenging conditions as heavy fog persists across the Emirates, following previous weather disruptions that forced authorities to lower speed limits. Abu Dhabi Police have strongly urged motorists to exercise caution, enforcing a reduced speed limit of 80kph on several major routes and prohibiting lorries from using motorways during periods of low visibility.

As the fog cleared, major roads experienced heavy congestion, leading to significant commuter delays. Ahmed Habib, a representative from the National Centre of Meteorology, informed The National that the foggy conditions are expected to last until Tuesday, varying in intensity each day. He noted that coastal and western areas remain particularly vulnerable due to a combination of high humidity and cooling temperatures.

The current atmospheric conditions are driven by light winds under 10kph, high humidity, and dropping temperatures, which allow moisture to accumulate near the ground. Dr Habib explained that as nighttime temperatures decrease, the humid air near the surface cools and causes water vapour to condense into droplets, forming thick fog that typically dissipates after sunrise as temperatures rise or winds pick up.

The weather department forecasts continued humid conditions overnight and into Monday morning across select coastal and inland areas, with further expectations of fog or mist. Meanwhile, the broader weather outlook indicates fair to partly cloudy skies from Sunday to Tuesday, with convective clouds potentially forming in eastern and southern areas on Sunday and bringing a chance of rain to inland regions by Monday. By Tuesday, scattered showers may affect eastern and western regions as skies become cloudier.

These foggy conditions coincide with the UAE's seasonal transition towards winter. On Saturday morning, the lowest recorded temperature dropped to 23.7°C in Raknah, Al Ain, at 5.15am. Dr Habib stated that this transition will continue throughout October and November, leading out of autumn and into the official start of winter around December 22.