Early on the morning of 13 January 2026, a blanket of thick fog settled over Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, reducing visibility to below 1,000 metres in places and setting off a chain reaction of travel disruptions across the country. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued multiple red and yellow alerts, while variable-speed signs on the E11 and E311 highways were dropped to as low as 60 km/h. Police patrols were deployed along key corridors, urging motorists to switch on fog lights, maintain wider following distances and avoid sudden lane changes. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
For thousands of cross-emirate commuters the timing could not have been worse: tailbacks from Sharjah’s Al Nahda stretched well past Dubai International Airport, adding 30–40 minutes to a journey that is already one of the region’s most congested. Logistics companies reported delays in same-day deliveries, and ride-hailing platforms briefly introduced surge pricing as demand spiked. Although no major pile-ups were recorded, emergency services confirmed a 22 per cent increase in minor fender-benders versus the previous Tuesday. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
![Dense fog triggers travel and commuting disruptions across UAE]()
Aviation operations also felt the ripple effects. While no runway closures were declared, Dubai Airports confirmed that low-visibility procedures were activated between 05:10 and 08:45 GST, forcing several arriving flights into extended holding patterns and delaying some early-morning departures by up to 25 minutes. Corporate travel managers were advised to monitor flight status feeds and to brief employees on the likelihood of knock-on delays at connecting hubs. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Meteorologists expect humidity to remain high through mid-week, raising the prospect of repeat fog events—common during the UAE’s cooler months. Companies with field-based staff have been reminded to re-check duty-of-care protocols, ensure vehicles are equipped with legal fog lamps and to stagger shift start times where possible. From a broader mobility standpoint, the episode underscores how weather, rather than policy, can still be a major disruptor in one of the world’s most technologically advanced travel markets.
For thousands of cross-emirate commuters the timing could not have been worse: tailbacks from Sharjah’s Al Nahda stretched well past Dubai International Airport, adding 30–40 minutes to a journey that is already one of the region’s most congested. Logistics companies reported delays in same-day deliveries, and ride-hailing platforms briefly introduced surge pricing as demand spiked. Although no major pile-ups were recorded, emergency services confirmed a 22 per cent increase in minor fender-benders versus the previous Tuesday. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Aviation operations also felt the ripple effects. While no runway closures were declared, Dubai Airports confirmed that low-visibility procedures were activated between 05:10 and 08:45 GST, forcing several arriving flights into extended holding patterns and delaying some early-morning departures by up to 25 minutes. Corporate travel managers were advised to monitor flight status feeds and to brief employees on the likelihood of knock-on delays at connecting hubs. (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Meteorologists expect humidity to remain high through mid-week, raising the prospect of repeat fog events—common during the UAE’s cooler months. Companies with field-based staff have been reminded to re-check duty-of-care protocols, ensure vehicles are equipped with legal fog lamps and to stagger shift start times where possible. From a broader mobility standpoint, the episode underscores how weather, rather than policy, can still be a major disruptor in one of the world’s most technologically advanced travel markets.
