Thick winter fog has triggered a rare red alert across the United Arab Emirates, with authorities warning of significant disruption to flights, highway traffic and port operations from Abu Dhabi to Dubai. As visibility drops to near zero along key transport corridors and at major airports, travelers are being urged to brace for delays, diversions and potential schedule changes over the coming days.
Red Alert Issued as Fog Blankets Key Transport Hubs
On Saturday 7 February 2026, the UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) raised its highest-level fog warning for large parts of the country, including the capital Abu Dhabi and neighboring Dubai. The red alert window was set from the early hours of the morning, with dense fog and mist forecast to linger over coastal and inland areas through mid-morning and, in some pockets, to return overnight.
According to official bulletins, the combination of thick ground fog, rising humidity and light winds has created ideal conditions for severe visibility drops across the Emirates. In some low-lying and desert fringe zones, horizontal visibility has been reported at a few hundred meters or less, prompting concern for early-morning commuters, long-haul truck traffic and airport ground movements.
Authorities stress that this is not an isolated patch of fog but part of a broader pattern that has been building over the first week of February. Red and yellow alerts were already in place earlier in the month as cool nights, moist air from the Gulf and warming daytime temperatures created repeated cycles of mist and low cloud, especially before sunrise.
Air Travel: Delays, Diversions and Low-Visibility Operations
Airports across the UAE, and particularly the regional giants of Abu Dhabi International and Dubai International, are operating under heightened caution. While modern navigation systems allow many flights to land and depart safely in reduced visibility, the current fog has forced controllers to employ low-visibility procedures that inevitably slow the pace of operations.
Arriving aircraft may face extended holding patterns as visibility fluctuates around the minimums required for safe landing. When cloud and fog thicken over runways and approach paths, some flights may be diverted to alternate airports in the region or delayed at their point of departure. Turnaround times for aircraft that do land are also expected to lengthen, as ground crews contend with fog, slick surfaces and restricted apron visibility.
Departing passengers are being advised by airlines and airport operators to check the status of their flights frequently on official channels and to allow additional time for check-in and security. Even in cases where flights leave close to schedule, boarding and pushback can be slower than usual, and arrival times at destination airports may fluctuate as air traffic control sequences traffic more cautiously.
Highways and City Roads: Speed Limits Cut as Visibility Plummets
On the ground, the greatest immediate impact is on road travel. Major intercity arteries such as the Abu Dhabi Dubai highway, routes toward Al Ain, and peripheral bypass roads around both cities have reported severe fog patches, particularly from the pre-dawn hours to mid-morning. In these conditions, sections of the road network can shift abruptly from clear to almost opaque, catching inattentive drivers off guard.
Police forces in Abu Dhabi and Dubai have activated automated variable speed systems, cutting limits on key highways to 80 kilometers per hour or lower when visibility deteriorates. Electronic overhead boards now carry prominent fog warnings, urging motorists to maintain greater following distances, use low-beam headlights and avoid sudden lane changes or hard braking.
Local commuters have been warned that journey times will lengthen, especially on popular inbound routes during the morning rush. Public buses and logistics fleets are also slowing operations, with some heavy truck movements restricted until conditions improve. Travelers heading to or from the airports by road should factor in these constraints and depart earlier than usual to avoid missing flights that do operate on time.
Ports, Cruises and Sea Operations Under Strain
The red alert for fog coincides with a busy spell for maritime traffic, from container and bulk carriers making calls at Khalifa Port and Jebel Ali to cruise ships docking at Abu Dhabi’s dedicated cruise terminal. Thick fog and mist over coastal waters, combined with forecasts of rougher seas at times in the Arabian Gulf, are forcing harbor masters to repeatedly reassess traffic flows.
Low visibility in approaches and harbor channels can lead to restrictions on vessel movements, especially during the early morning periods of densest fog. Piloted entries and departures, tug operations and small-craft transfers all become more complex and slower, translating into delayed port calls, extended stays at anchor and rescheduled berthing windows.
Cruise passengers visiting the UAE in early February should be prepared for last-minute changes in port arrival and departure times. Shore excursion schedules in Abu Dhabi and Dubai may shift, and in rare cases, shortened stays or altered itineraries are possible if pilots deem conditions unsafe for timely arrival or departure. Port agents and cruise lines are monitoring NCM advisories closely, with safety taking precedence over published timetables.
What Travelers in the UAE Should Do Right Now
With the foggy pattern expected to persist in some form through the coming days, visitors and residents alike should adopt a more flexible approach to their journeys. For those flying into or out of the Emirates, the most practical step is to track flights directly through airline apps or customer service channels and to sign up for real-time alerts where available.
Travelers connecting through Abu Dhabi or Dubai should plan for tighter margins, especially if they hold separate tickets on different airlines. Where possible, building in longer layovers reduces the stress of missed connections if an inbound leg is delayed by fog-related restrictions. For those at the start of longer trips, considering travel insurance that covers weather disruptions is a sensible strategy.
On the roads, rental car users and visiting drivers must adjust quickly to local fog protocols. That means obeying reduced speed limits shown on overhead gantries, avoiding the use of hazard lights while moving, and pulling safely to the side only if visibility becomes truly unmanageable. If you are scheduled for early morning road transfers, such as hotel to airport or intercity shuttles, talk to your operator about potential schedule adjustments in light of the red alert.
Short-Term Forecast: Fog Cycles, Rising Humidity and Intermittent Rain
The current red alert stems from a classic winter pattern in the Arabian Peninsula. Overnight, radiative cooling at ground level allows temperatures to fall rapidly, while air near the surface remains saturated with moisture from the Gulf. As the temperature drops toward the dew point, water vapor condenses into a low, dense fog that hugs highways, runways and coastal zones.
Forecasters expect this cycle to repeat over the next several mornings, particularly where winds are light and skies are partially clear overnight. Alongside the fog, the NCM is also flagging the possibility of scattered rain showers over islands, coastal belts and some northern and eastern districts, especially into the evenings. These showers can briefly worsen visibility and leave road surfaces slick just as fog is thickening.
Daytime temperatures are edging higher, with forecast highs in the upper twenties Celsius in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, but humidity levels remain elevated. This combination means evenings and early nights may feel damp and hazy, setting the stage for further fog formation before dawn. Travelers should monitor local media and official weather bulletins each evening for updated alert levels and geographic coverage.
Longer-Term Context: A Recurring Winter Challenge
For frequent visitors to the UAE, this episode will feel familiar. Heavy winter fog has become a regular seasonal challenge for the country’s transport infrastructure, typically peaking between December and February. In recent years, similar red-alert events have slowed traffic on flagship highways, triggered temporary speed caps and caused waves of flight delays and diversions at the main international gateways.
Authorities and operators have responded by steadily upgrading technology and procedures. Automated speed control systems on major roads, enhanced runway lighting, sophisticated low-visibility landing procedures and advanced forecasting tools are all designed to keep people moving as safely and smoothly as possible, even when visibility rapidly degrades. Nonetheless, when fog becomes exceptionally dense, disruption is almost unavoidable.
For travelers, understanding this seasonal pattern can help with planning future trips. Those with flexibility may wish to avoid very tight early-morning schedules in midwinter, particularly for critical business meetings or onward long-haul departures. For cruise guests, awareness that arrival and departure times can shift in fog-prone weeks may make it easier to accept itinerary changes as part of the seasonal reality in Gulf ports.
Practical Planning Tips for Visitors and Residents
While the red alert will eventually be lifted as this foggy spell passes, the immediate days ahead call for careful planning. Anyone with imminent travel should keep all transport confirmations easily accessible and ensure that airlines, cruise lines and tour operators have up-to-date contact details in case they need to issue rapid notifications of schedule changes.
Carrying a buffer of essential items in hand luggage or a small daypack becomes especially valuable when delays stretch on. Medication, phone chargers, a light jacket for cooler early-morning temperatures, and snacks or water can make the difference between a manageable wait and a stressful one in crowded terminals. At ports and airports, follow staff instructions and signage closely, as operational areas can be reconfigured to cope with fog-related constraints.
Above all, patience and flexibility are crucial. The dense fog currently gripping parts of the UAE is a powerful reminder that even in one of the world’s most advanced transport hubs, weather can still dictate terms. By staying informed, allowing extra time and placing safety ahead of strict adherence to schedules, travelers can navigate this red-alert period with far less disruption to their plans.