Wind, fog or more rain? UAE's weekend weather explained

Dubai: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast a notable weather shift across the UAE this weekend, with fog alerts, rising temperatures, and a chance of rain set to affect residents and travellers from Friday through Sunday.

Friday, April 3: Hazy start, humid nights

The weekend kicks off on a largely fair note, with skies expected to be clear to partly cloudy across most emirates. However, motorists should exercise caution as humidity levels are forecast to rise sharply after dark and linger into Saturday morning, particularly over internal areas. The NCM has flagged the possibility of fog and mist forming in those regions overnight, which could temporarily reduce visibility on major highways and arterial roads.

Daytime temperatures in Dubai are expected to peak around 31°C to 32°C, while Abu Dhabi will sit slightly cooler at roughly 28°C to 29°C. Overnight lows are likely to dip to around 20°C to 21°C across the country's coastal zones. Humidity by night could climb into the 70 to 80 per cent range in some low-lying and inland pockets, making conditions feel considerably muggier than the thermometer suggests. AccuWeather data projects a high of approximately 26°C to 28°C for coastal Dubai, with partly cloudy and hazy conditions persisting through the afternoon.

Winds on Friday will be light to moderate from the northwest, with speeds ranging between 15 and 25 kilometres per hour and freshening occasionally to 40 km/h. Boaters and water sports enthusiasts should note that conditions in the Arabian Gulf are expected to be rough to moderate, with wave heights posing a risk for smaller vessels. The Oman Sea, by contrast, will remain relatively calm and slight throughout the day.

Saturday, April 4: Warming up with rain on the horizon

Saturday is shaping up to be the warmest day, with the NCM forecasting an increase in temperatures across the board. Skies will begin fair to partly cloudy but are expected to become increasingly overcast as the day progresses. More significantly, the bulletin notes a probability of light rainfall over islands and some coastal areas by nightfall, a reminder that April, though predominantly dry, is still within the tail end of the country's limited rain season.

Expect daytime highs to rise to around 32°C to 33°C in Dubai, with Abu Dhabi tracking close behind at around 27°C to 28°C. Ventusky modelling data puts Abu Dhabi at approximately 27°C for the day, consistent with the warming trend flagged by NCM. Humidity levels are forecast to remain moderate during the daytime but will likely build again as cloud cover thickens heading into the evening. Residents planning outdoor activities such as beach visits, desert drives, or evening dining should be aware that conditions may turn unsettled after sunset.

Winds will continue from the northwest to southwest, maintaining speeds of 15 to 25 km/h with gusts reaching up to 40 km/h at times. The Arabian Gulf is expected to moderate slightly compared to Friday, with sea state described as moderate to slight, while the Oman Sea remains calm and navigable.

Sunday, April 5: Cloudy skies and scattered showers for some

Sunday brings the most unsettled conditions of the three-day period. The NCM has indicated a probability of light rainfall over select coastal and northern areas, with skies partly to significantly cloudy across much of the country. While a nationwide downpour is not anticipated, residents in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain, and parts of the northern emirates should keep an umbrella handy. Coastal areas from Sharjah northward could also see some passing showers.

Temperatures on Sunday are forecast to hold steady or inch upward from Saturday's peaks, with highs in the range of 32°C to 33°C across Dubai and the northern emirates, and similar readings in Abu Dhabi. The shift in wind direction swinging from southeasterly to northeasterly at speeds between 10 and 25 km/h, with gusts up to 35 km/h will bring a slightly different quality of air compared to the dry northwesterly flow of the previous two days. Sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf will vary from slight to moderate, while the Oman Sea remains gentle.

Those heading out on Friday morning are strongly urged to slow down on highways if fog is observed, as visibility can drop rapidly and without much warning in affected areas. The NCM consistently advises drivers to switch on fog lights, maintain a safe following distance, and avoid overtaking during low-visibility spells.