UAE weather alert: Rising humidity and fog risk across coastal areas

Dubai: The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast fair to partly cloudy weather across the UAE today, with some clouds expected to form eastward by the afternoon.

The lowest temperature recorded early this morning was 20.4°C in Damtha, Al Ain, at 5am, while the highest temperature reached 49°C in Mukhairiz, Al Dhafra region, at 2:45pm.

Humidity is expected to rise tonight and into Thursday morning, increasing the likelihood of fog or mist formation over some coastal and internal areas. Winds will remain light to moderate, occasionally freshening during the day, while seas will be slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Looking ahead, tomorrow’s weather forecast will continue to be fair to partly cloudy and hazy at times, with afternoon cloud buildup in eastern regions. Humidity will persist overnight into Friday morning, with a chance of mist over coastal areas. Winds will shift from southeasterly to northwesterly, blowing at 10–25 km/h, reaching up to 35 km/h.

On Friday, expect generally fair conditions with intermittent cloudiness. Southwesterly to northeasterly winds will continue, maintaining speeds of 10–25 km/h, with gusts reaching 35 km/h. Seas will remain slight across both the Arabian Gulf and the Oman Sea.

Ever wondered what causes that thick, ghostly fog blanketing the UAE skies? It’s all about a delicate balance of temperature, humidity, and wind.

Fog forms when the air temperature and dew point get really close — within 2.5°C of each other. At this point, water vapor condenses into tiny droplets that remain suspended in the air, creating that milky, misty layer we know as fog.

In the UAE, this usually happens when cool air meets near-100% humidity — a common combo this time of year. Add in barely-there wind speeds (under 5 km/h) and high-pressure systems cooling the Earth's surface overnight, and you've got the perfect recipe for those thick fog waves rolling across highways and city skylines.

So next time you’re driving through low visibility or watching the skyline disappear, you’ll know: it’s not just weather — it’s science at work.

The NCM advises residents to stay updated on changing conditions, especially during early morning hours when fog and reduced visibility may occur.

The NCM announces the latest temperatures and weather conditions across the cities in the UAE!