Thick morning fog spread across multiple areas of the UAE, significantly reducing visibility and forcing motorists to drive cautiously, which in turn caused traffic to move more slowly than usual.
Heavy fog sweeps across UAE, bringing slower-than-normal road conditions.
A dense and overwhelming blanket of fog settled over several regions of the UAE early Thursday morning, transforming the landscape into a hazy grey sheet and significantly disrupting visibility for residents starting their day. People across the country woke up to find their surroundings almost completely obscured, with many reporting that visibility had plunged to under 500 metres in numerous neighbourhoods. The unusual intensity of the fog prompted the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) to issue urgent weather alerts for multiple emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman. The first of these warnings was dispatched shortly after midnight, as meteorologists noticed visibility deteriorating far more rapidly than expected.
As the hours passed, the fog thickened rather than lifted. By the early morning commute, vast portions of Dubai were swallowed by an even denser layer of mist. In some locations—particularly Al Qusais, Al Muhaisnah and residential communities situated along Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Road—the visibility dropped to less than 100 metres, turning familiar routes into vague outlines and leaving drivers heavily reliant on vehicle headlights and hazard signals. The early daylight offered little relief, as the fog persisted stubbornly across the region instead of dispersing with the sunrise.
Commuters faced the brunt of the disruption. The morning rush hour, already typically heavy on major highways, slowed dramatically as motorists cautiously navigated the obscured roads. What would have been a routine drive for many became a challenging and slow-moving journey. Cars crept forward at much lower speeds, and traffic that usually flowed steadily turned into long queues stretching across major interchanges and arterial roads. Drivers were forced to maintain larger gaps between vehicles, constantly scanning the haze for sudden stops or unexpected lane changes.
Emergency services and traffic patrols urged the public to exercise extra caution, advising motorists to use fog lights, avoid overtaking unnecessarily and stay tuned to official channels for updates on changing weather conditions. Public transport operations were also affected, with buses running behind schedule due to the need for slower driving speeds on fog-covered routes.
Commuters faced the brunt of the disruption. The morning rush hour, already typically heavy on major highways, slowed dramatically as motorists cautiously navigated the obscured roads. What would have been a routine drive for many became a challenging and slow-moving journey. Cars crept forward at much lower speeds, and traffic that usually flowed steadily turned into long queues stretching across major interchanges and arterial roads. Drivers were forced to maintain larger gaps between vehicles, constantly scanning the haze for sudden stops or unexpected lane changes.
Emergency services and traffic patrols urged the public to exercise extra caution, advising motorists to use fog lights, avoid overtaking unnecessarily and stay tuned to official channels for updates on changing weather conditions. Public transport operations were also affected, with buses running behind schedule due to the need for slower driving speeds on fog-covered routes.
Ahmed Khan, who has lived in the UAE for many years, described how unexpectedly the weather shifted during his morning commute. He explained that conditions in Sharjah were completely clear when he started his journey, giving him no indication of what he was about to encounter. As he approached Al Qusais, however, a thick and overwhelming fog suddenly appeared, surprising him and many other drivers on the road.
Khan said the visibility dropped so sharply that driving at the usual speed limit of 70 km/h became impossible. Instead of maintaining the standard pace, he found himself forced to slow down drastically, at times not exceeding 30 km/h simply to keep the road ahead in view. The dense fog created a sense of uncertainty, and like many other motorists, he had to rely on cautious, defensive driving to navigate through the reduced visibility.
He noted that the heavy fog during early rush hour affected traffic flow significantly. Cars moved in long, slow lines, and drivers were clearly hesitant to accelerate. Because of these conditions, Khan predicted that a considerable number of employees commuting to work would likely arrive later than usual, as the weather left them with no option but to drive carefully and patiently.
During the early hours of the morning, Haneef A. was on his usual school run, driving his children to their campus in Al Quoz, when he encountered an unexpectedly thick layer of fog that had settled across the area. He described the conditions as some of the most challenging he had seen in recent weeks, noting that at certain points along his route, visibility dropped to well under 100 metres. Buildings, road signs, and even nearby vehicles appeared only as faint, blurred shapes, forcing everyone on the road to rely heavily on headlights and slow, deliberate movements.
According to Haneef, motorists were generally aware of the dangerous driving environment and behaved with an appropriate level of caution. Cars moved at modest speeds, leaving larger-than-usual gaps between vehicles, and drivers avoided sudden lane changes. Despite this, he noticed a recurring issue that tends to surface whenever fog blankets the area: the misuse of hazard lights. Several cars, he said, switched on their hazard blinkers while driving, a practice he believes comes from a misunderstanding of road safety guidelines.
He explained that although many drivers think hazard lights increase visibility during foggy conditions, they actually create confusion rather than enhance safety. When hazard lights are engaged, a vehicle’s indicators no longer signal turns or lane changes, making it difficult for surrounding drivers to understand the intentions of the car ahead. This increases the risk of collisions, especially when visibility is already compromised. Haneef pointed out that authorities have repeatedly conducted awareness campaigns warning motorists against this behaviour, yet the message still has not reached everyone.
Traffic police, road safety experts, and transport officials have long emphasised that hazard lights are not meant to be used while a vehicle is moving, regardless of weather conditions. Their primary purpose is to alert other road users of an emergency situation. This could be a sudden breakdown, a stopped vehicle on the shoulder, or an accident that requires immediate attention. When a stationary car flashes its hazard lights, it sends a clear signal to approaching drivers that they should slow down or change lanes to avoid a potential obstruction.
In contrast, using hazard lights while driving can mask a driver’s next move. A motorist who intends to change lanes or make a turn cannot communicate this using regular indicators if their hazards are activated. In dense fog, where drivers must often make quick judgments based on limited visual cues, this lack of clarity can become particularly dangerous. Police have therefore urged the public to rely instead on low-beam headlights or fog lights, which are designed to improve visibility without causing glare.
Haneef said he hopes more motorists will take these reminders seriously, especially on mornings when weather conditions are unpredictable. He believes that safer roads depend not only on official warnings but also on every driver’s willingness to follow proper protocols. With winter approaching and foggy mornings becoming more frequent, he stressed the importance of understanding and respecting the rules that help keep everyone safe. For him and many other parents driving children to school, these precautions are not just guidelines—they are essential steps to ensuring a safe journey for all.
As the fog thickened across several parts of the UAE, police authorities in different emirates moved quickly to remind the public of the dangers associated with driving in such weather. Law enforcement agencies issued a series of urgent advisories, stressing that motorists needed to adapt their behaviour to the drastically reduced visibility.
In Abu Dhabi, police officials responded by activating the emirate’s automated speed-control system, which adjusts speed limits in real time during hazardous weather conditions. The system reduced permissible speeds on a number of key routes, ensuring that drivers were compelled to slow down as soon as they entered fog-affected areas. To reinforce these measures, emergency notifications were sent straight to motorists’ mobile phones. These alerts urged drivers to bring their speed down to 80 km/h or lower, depending on the severity of the fog in the specific area they were travelling through. The goal, authorities said, was to minimise the risk of accidents caused by abrupt lane changes, sudden braking, or the inability to see vehicles ahead.
Meanwhile, in Dubai, police issued their own public advisory as the fog spread across parts of the emirate. The force emphasised that drivers needed to adopt a high degree of caution, particularly during early morning hours when visibility was at its worst. Their statement highlighted the importance of maintaining safe distances, using appropriate lights, and resisting the urge to speed, even on typically fast-moving highways. Dubai Police reiterated that unpredictable weather conditions demanded patience and adherence to road-safety instructions at all times.
Across the emirates, the unified message from police forces was clear: reduced visibility requires smarter, slower, and more attentive driving. Authorities urged residents to prioritise safety, remain alert to changing weather updates, and follow all traffic guidelines until conditions improved.
Sharjah Police also moved to caution drivers as the morning fog continued to thicken across various parts of the emirate. The force released a detailed advisory urging road users to be mindful of the rapidly changing visibility and to adopt safer driving habits while navigating through the misty conditions. Officials highlighted the importance of keeping a sufficient buffer between vehicles, explaining that extra space on the road gives motorists more time to react in case the car ahead brakes suddenly or disappears into the fog. They also stressed that lowering speed and handling the vehicle steadily are crucial steps in maintaining personal safety as well as protecting other commuters sharing the same roads.
In Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) joined the effort to promote safer driving during the adverse weather. The RTA emphasised that motorists should rely on their fog lights to improve visibility and ensure that other vehicles can see them. They also advised drivers to use their indicators clearly and correctly, especially in low-visibility situations where even slight movements can catch others off guard. Officials warned against abrupt lane shifts, sudden braking, or unnecessary distractions inside the vehicle, noting that even a brief lapse in judgment can result in accidents when visibility is reduced.
The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) also reiterated essential fog-safety recommendations that motorists should follow consistently. Among their reminders was the importance of maintaining a safe following distance, as dense fog can make it difficult to judge how close another vehicle really is. The NCM again highlighted the frequent misuse of hazard lights during foggy weather and clarified that these lights are not meant for driving but for warning other road users of an emergency situation or a stationary vehicle. Using hazard lights while the vehicle is in motion removes the driver’s ability to signal turns and creates confusion for others on the road. They further urged drivers to stay within the reduced speed limits, remain alert to dynamic warnings on illuminated signboards, and monitor real-time weather updates from official channels.
Across the country, authorities collectively echoed a unified message: vigilance is essential. With fog forming unpredictably and dispersing at different times across various neighborhoods, motorists were reminded to leave home earlier than usual to avoid rushing. Planning extra travel time, they said, not only reduces stress but also encourages careful and patient driving—something crucial during fog events.
Officials also advised commuters to remain aware that fog may vary in density from one area to another. A clear stretch of road can quickly transition into heavy fog pockets, catching unprepared drivers off guard. To minimise risks, they encouraged motorists to stay tuned to traffic bulletins, navigation apps with live updates, and official social media channels for the latest weather and road safety advisories.
By working together—drivers, transport authorities, and police officials—road safety during adverse weather can be significantly improved, they said. As fog conditions were expected to gradually lift later in the morning, authorities again reminded everyone to continue exercising caution until visibility returned to normal levels.
