The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued a red alert for severe fog across the UAE from 03:20 to 10:00 am on Saturday, 7 February 2026, warning drivers of near-zero visibility on major highways between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates. Forecasters also predict isolated rainfall over offshore islands and coastal districts later tonight, accompanied by gusts reaching 40 km/h that could roughen seas in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.(khaleejtimes.com)
Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have instructed airlines to activate low-visibility procedures; carriers are advising passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport. Historically, each hour of dense fog can cut runway movements by up to 30 per cent, leading to knock-on delays for connecting flights—an acute concern for multinational firms routing staff through the Gulf’s mega-hubs.
For international travellers juggling both weather alerts and entry paperwork, VisaHQ can streamline the visa process and handle urgent extensions online, freeing passengers to focus on shifting flight schedules. Their dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lists current requirements for more than 200 nationalities and offers concierge document services that prove invaluable when fog-induced delays threaten an unplanned overstay.
![Red-Alert Fog and Overnight Rain Trigger Nationwide Travel Caution in the UAE]()
Within cities, police have reduced speed limits on smart highways to 80 km/h, and variable-message signs flash “Fog—Keep Distance.” The Ministry of Interior reminds motorists that tail-gating during fog carries a AED 400 fine and four black points. Logistics operators should revisit contingency routing, especially for chilled-goods trucks adhering to tight delivery windows.
For employers with field staff or site visits scheduled, the practical advice is to push meetings to late morning, move non-essential journeys online, and ensure company vehicles have functioning fog lamps. Sea-freight planners meanwhile should anticipate potential berthing delays at Jebel Ali and Khalifa ports if evening squalls escalate.
While fog is a seasonal norm, today’s red alert is the most severe since December 2025, underscoring how weather now ranks alongside visas and health regulations as a primary mobility-risk variable in the Emirates.
Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International have instructed airlines to activate low-visibility procedures; carriers are advising passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport. Historically, each hour of dense fog can cut runway movements by up to 30 per cent, leading to knock-on delays for connecting flights—an acute concern for multinational firms routing staff through the Gulf’s mega-hubs.
For international travellers juggling both weather alerts and entry paperwork, VisaHQ can streamline the visa process and handle urgent extensions online, freeing passengers to focus on shifting flight schedules. Their dedicated UAE page (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lists current requirements for more than 200 nationalities and offers concierge document services that prove invaluable when fog-induced delays threaten an unplanned overstay.
Within cities, police have reduced speed limits on smart highways to 80 km/h, and variable-message signs flash “Fog—Keep Distance.” The Ministry of Interior reminds motorists that tail-gating during fog carries a AED 400 fine and four black points. Logistics operators should revisit contingency routing, especially for chilled-goods trucks adhering to tight delivery windows.
For employers with field staff or site visits scheduled, the practical advice is to push meetings to late morning, move non-essential journeys online, and ensure company vehicles have functioning fog lamps. Sea-freight planners meanwhile should anticipate potential berthing delays at Jebel Ali and Khalifa ports if evening squalls escalate.
While fog is a seasonal norm, today’s red alert is the most severe since December 2025, underscoring how weather now ranks alongside visas and health regulations as a primary mobility-risk variable in the Emirates.
