The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has placed the entire UAE on a weather watch running from 25–29 December as an upper-level trough drags cool, moisture-laden air across the northern emirates. Forecasts issued on 27 December warn of patchy rain, dense morning fog and night-time lows of 16 °C in Dubai with near-freezing readings on Jebel Jais.
For mobility managers the key concern is visibility: when runway range drops below 550 metres, Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) airports switch to CAT II/III low-visibility procedures that stretch take-off spacing. Historical data show departure banks slipping 20-45 minutes—and on worst-case mornings up to an hour. Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Cargo have already alerted shippers that some perishables could be resequenced, while DHL and Aramex are warning e-commerce clients in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah of 24-hour delivery slips.
On the roads, Dubai Police confirmed rolling 80 km/h limits on key corridors, with full closures possible if fog thickens. That adds 30-60 minutes to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi drive—enough to break tight airport connections and corporate meeting schedules. Hotels across Downtown Dubai report a spike in late check-outs and re-booking enquiries as tourists hedge against potential flight delays.
![Five-day national weather watch could slow holiday flights and freight through 29 December]()
Corporate travel teams are advising visitors to pad itineraries, pre-register for airline SMS alerts and download the RTA’s Smart Drive app for diversion notices. They are also reminding assignees that the ICP’s online extension facility for 30- and 60-day visit visas can be activated from a smartphone—crucial if expiring documents collide with grounded flights.
Travellers who find their stay unexpectedly extended can also tap VisaHQ’s streamlined UAE services. The portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) facilitates quick online extensions and fresh entry permits, with real-time status tracking that helps mobility teams keep staff compliant while flight schedules stabilise.
While the NCM expects conditions to clear after 29 December, logistics planners warn that any backlog may spill into early-January import cycles, affecting just-in-time inventory at free-zone warehouses. Multinationals should therefore monitor freight priority lists and consider temporary stock buffers for critical parts and high-value goods.
For mobility managers the key concern is visibility: when runway range drops below 550 metres, Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) airports switch to CAT II/III low-visibility procedures that stretch take-off spacing. Historical data show departure banks slipping 20-45 minutes—and on worst-case mornings up to an hour. Emirates SkyCargo and Etihad Cargo have already alerted shippers that some perishables could be resequenced, while DHL and Aramex are warning e-commerce clients in Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah of 24-hour delivery slips.
On the roads, Dubai Police confirmed rolling 80 km/h limits on key corridors, with full closures possible if fog thickens. That adds 30-60 minutes to the Dubai-Abu Dhabi drive—enough to break tight airport connections and corporate meeting schedules. Hotels across Downtown Dubai report a spike in late check-outs and re-booking enquiries as tourists hedge against potential flight delays.
Corporate travel teams are advising visitors to pad itineraries, pre-register for airline SMS alerts and download the RTA’s Smart Drive app for diversion notices. They are also reminding assignees that the ICP’s online extension facility for 30- and 60-day visit visas can be activated from a smartphone—crucial if expiring documents collide with grounded flights.
Travellers who find their stay unexpectedly extended can also tap VisaHQ’s streamlined UAE services. The portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) facilitates quick online extensions and fresh entry permits, with real-time status tracking that helps mobility teams keep staff compliant while flight schedules stabilise.
While the NCM expects conditions to clear after 29 December, logistics planners warn that any backlog may spill into early-January import cycles, affecting just-in-time inventory at free-zone warehouses. Multinationals should therefore monitor freight priority lists and consider temporary stock buffers for critical parts and high-value goods.
