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]()
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.
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.
Source: The Times of India
