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The UAE is bracing for a series of weather events that could affect daily life, transportation, and maritime activities in the coming days.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a fog advisory for various internal and coastal regions, coupled with a detailed multi-day forecast highlighting dusty winds, fluctuating temperatures, and rough seas. Authorities are urging commuters, motorists, and maritime operators to exercise heightened caution.
Read more-How Sharjah dealt with adverse weather: Inside the emirate’s rapid response
The NCM warned that horizontal visibility could significantly drop due to fog formation starting tonight and lasting until 10:00am on Saturday, January 3, 2026, according to a WAM report.
Commuters are advised to maintain safe distances, drive carefully, and follow all traffic instructions to ensure public safety during the reduced visibility period.
The agency’s detailed weather bulletin points to a combination of a surface low-pressure system from the east, a high-pressure system from the west, and a weak upper-air low-pressure extension as the main drivers of the current weather pattern.
These forces are creating generally stable conditions but with occasional wind and dust activity across the country. The NCM emphasises that this pattern will influence weather through at least Tuesday, January 6.
Forecast: Saturday through Tuesday
Saturday, January 3, 2026
Expect fair to partly cloudy skies with increased humidity overnight in internal areas, resulting in potential fog or mist. Winds will remain light to moderate over land, strengthening to fresh or strong over the sea, causing blowing dust. Sea conditions will be moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea.
Sunday, January 4, 2026
Dusty conditions may prevail at times under partly cloudy skies. Northwesterly winds will occasionally reach speeds of up to 50 km/hr, further reducing visibility. The Arabian Gulf is expected to be rough to very rough, while the Oman Sea will experience slight to moderate conditions.
Monday, January 5, 2026
Fair to partly cloudy skies will continue, with low clouds over northern and eastern areas. Temperatures will slightly decrease, and overnight humidity in western internal regions will raise the likelihood of fog or mist. Winds will range between 10–25 km/hr, occasionally gusting to 45 km/hr, with rough sea conditions in the Arabian Gulf and slight to moderate seas in the Oman Sea.
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Conditions remain fair to partly cloudy, with low clouds and potential fog in the west overnight. Winds will be light to moderate, freshening at times to 40 km/h. Sea conditions will remain moderate to rough in the Arabian Gulf and slight in the Oman Sea. The complete bulletin is available here.
These evolving weather patterns pose challenges for road commuters, logistics operations, and maritime activities. Companies relying on transportation networks should plan for potential delays, particularly on early-morning commutes, while shipping operators need to monitor sea conditions closely. The NCM emphasises that careful planning and adherence to advisories are crucial for minimising disruptions during this period of fog, dust, and strong winds.
