Thick early-morning fog blanketed parts of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Dubai on 26 September, prompting police to impose an 80 km/h speed cap on several highways and warning motorists of near-zero visibility. Gulf News reports that the National Center of Meteorology expects humidity to remain high overnight, raising the likelihood of further fog through Sunday dawn. While Dubai International maintains low-visibility procedures, aviation meteorologists caution that any sudden drop below Cat III minima could force temporary runway closures and cascading flight delays. Ground handling agents confirmed that de-icing equipment—rarely required in the UAE—has nonetheless been positioned as a precaution against condensation build-up on early-morning departures. At Abu Dhabi’s Midfield Terminal, due to open later this year, operational readiness drills were accelerated to stress-test lighting and instrument-landing systems under fog conditions. The exercise forms part of the terminal’s Operational Trial #18 and involved Etihad, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi and ground-service provider NAS. Road-freight companies have temporarily rerouted long-haul trucks via Emirates Road to avoid affected corridors, potentially adding 30 kilometres to intra-GCC deliveries. Mobility coordinators are advising relocating employees scheduled to arrive during early-morning arrival banks to plan for potential diversions to Sharjah or Ras Al Khaimah airports.
Source: Gulf News
