Commuters in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates woke up on 10 February to near-zero visibility as the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued rare red and yellow alerts from 03:20 to 09:00. Motorists received SMS warnings as police reduced speed limits on major highways to 80 km/h, while Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority pushed safety messages to roadside signboards.
At the country’s two busiest hubs — Dubai International (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International — air-traffic controllers activated low-visibility procedures, spacing arrivals and departures further apart. Although no outright flight cancellations were reported, airlines warned travellers of ripple-effect delays and urged early check-in. Logistics firms likewise rescheduled time-sensitive road deliveries, and port authorities at Jebel Ali and Khalifa monitored swell forecasts in case the fog lingered into the evening.
![Dense pre-dawn fog triggers red-alert travel advisories across UAE transport networks]()
International travellers caught up in such weather-related slowdowns can at least streamline their entry paperwork: VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets passengers arrange UAE tourist or business visas in advance, track application status in real time, and receive expert support—helping ensure that documentation, if not the skies, is clear when it’s time to board.
For business-travel planners the incident is a timely reminder to pad itineraries during the UAE’s winter fog season, which typically peaks between December and February. Travel-management companies recommend booking flexible fares and building buffer hours into onward connections, especially for regional day-trips where missed meetings can prove costly. Expatriate residents driving rental cars should confirm that insurance policies cover weather-related incidents, as insurers often require proof that speed-limit advisories were followed.
While temperatures remained a comfortable 18-29 °C, forecasters predict continued overnight humidity and patchy fog through mid-week. The NCM says it will keep the public updated via its mobile app and social channels; motorists and air passengers alike are urged to stay alert for further advisories.
At the country’s two busiest hubs — Dubai International (DXB) and Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International — air-traffic controllers activated low-visibility procedures, spacing arrivals and departures further apart. Although no outright flight cancellations were reported, airlines warned travellers of ripple-effect delays and urged early check-in. Logistics firms likewise rescheduled time-sensitive road deliveries, and port authorities at Jebel Ali and Khalifa monitored swell forecasts in case the fog lingered into the evening.
International travellers caught up in such weather-related slowdowns can at least streamline their entry paperwork: VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) lets passengers arrange UAE tourist or business visas in advance, track application status in real time, and receive expert support—helping ensure that documentation, if not the skies, is clear when it’s time to board.
For business-travel planners the incident is a timely reminder to pad itineraries during the UAE’s winter fog season, which typically peaks between December and February. Travel-management companies recommend booking flexible fares and building buffer hours into onward connections, especially for regional day-trips where missed meetings can prove costly. Expatriate residents driving rental cars should confirm that insurance policies cover weather-related incidents, as insurers often require proof that speed-limit advisories were followed.
While temperatures remained a comfortable 18-29 °C, forecasters predict continued overnight humidity and patchy fog through mid-week. The NCM says it will keep the public updated via its mobile app and social channels; motorists and air passengers alike are urged to stay alert for further advisories.
