The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) issued simultaneous red and yellow alerts early on 23 September 2026 after dense fog blanketed large swathes of Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, reducing visibility to below 200 metres in some areas. By 07:00, Dubai International activated low-visibility procedures, temporarily slowing runway movements and compounding delays caused by separate regional air-space issues. Road authorities lowered speed limits on key motorways, and the Ministry of Education advised schools to delay morning assemblies. Airlines asked passengers to allow extra time for baggage drop and security, citing the knock-on effect fog can have on aircraft positioning and crew-duty windows. Although the fog lifted by mid-morning, logistics firms reported that early-hour cargo collections were rescheduled, and several courier companies switched to afternoon delivery rounds. Mobility planners note that the UAE’s autumn transition often features intense overnight humidity, making similar fog episodes likely in the coming weeks. Companies with time-critical movements—such as project cargo or just-in-time shipments—are advised to incorporate weather-contingency clauses into service-level agreements until at least late October, when temperature differentials typically stabilise.
Source: Khaleej Times
