Severe fog has triggered a rare red alert across the United Arab Emirates, with authorities warning of major disruption to flights, road traffic and port operations from Abu Dhabi to Dubai and beyond. The National Centre of Meteorology has flagged a period of near zero visibility on key corridors linking the country’s busiest hubs, while aviation and maritime officials prepare for delays, diversions and potential backlogs across the transport network.
Red Alert Issued as Dense Fog Engulfs Key Transport Corridors
On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the National Centre of Meteorology issued a red alert for thick fog over large parts of the UAE, highlighting a particularly hazardous pre dawn window between 3.20 am and 10.00 am. Forecasters reported rapidly deteriorating horizontal visibility along arterial routes between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the Northern Emirates, in some locations dropping to only a few dozen metres. The alert followed a spell of cooling night time temperatures and rising humidity, classic ingredients for intense winter fog events in the Gulf.
While the fog began as patchy banks over coastal and inland areas, it soon spread across critical sections of the Abu Dhabi Dubai highway and feeder roads serving industrial zones, suburbs and logistics hubs. Motorists woke to electronic gantries flashing red alerts and speed reductions, while police and emergency services issued a stream of warnings through text messages and social media, urging drivers to slow down, keep safe distances and avoid unnecessary journeys during the thickest conditions.
Meteorologists warned that the current event is part of a broader pattern of misty mornings and unstable weather expected to persist into the new week. Forecasts point to a mix of humid nights, mist, fog and intermittent rain across coastal and internal regions, meaning transport operators are preparing for several days of sporadic low visibility and weather related disruption rather than a single isolated incident.
Flight Operations Face Delays, Holding Patterns and Possible Diversions
Aviation has been placed on high alert across the UAE’s major airports, with Dubai International, Abu Dhabi International and Al Maktoum International all monitoring visibility thresholds closely. While modern navigation systems allow aircraft to land in low visibility, dense ground fog can still push conditions below operational minima for certain runways and aircraft types, forcing controllers to space arrivals further apart or hold flights in stacked patterns until visibility improves.
Early indications from airport officials and airline statements point to delays for inbound and outbound flights during the worst of the morning fog, particularly in the narrow pre dawn to mid morning window when visibility is most likely to collapse. In previous dense fog events, inbound flights have been rerouted to alternative airports in the region or placed in extended holding patterns over the Gulf, while departures have faced knock on delays as ground handling slows and runways operate under stricter safety margins.
Passengers transiting through Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been urged to check flight status updates frequently and to allow extra time for security and boarding, as schedule changes can cascade throughout the day. Travel advisors are also warning that even when skies appear clear later in the morning, residual congestion from earlier disruptions may ripple through late morning and afternoon departures, especially for wide body aircraft on long haul routes to Europe, Asia and North America.
Regional carriers are adjusting rosters and contingency plans, activating additional staff where possible and coordinating with air traffic control to manage peak pressure points. However, with visibility the single most decisive factor, both airlines and passengers remain at the mercy of how quickly the fog lifts over runways and approach paths at each airport.
Highways Under Strain as Speed Limits Drop and Police Step In
On the ground, the most immediate impact of the red alert has been felt on the UAE’s highways, particularly the busy Abu Dhabi Dubai corridor, the Abu Dhabi Al Ain route and a web of connecting roads serving industrial zones, residential communities and logistics parks. Electronic signboards have been displaying automatically reduced speed limits, in some cases dropping to 80 kilometres per hour or lower as visibility falls below safety thresholds.
Police in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and other emirates have urged motorists to pay close attention to changing speed advisories, avoid sudden lane changes and use fog lights appropriately. In past dense fog episodes, traffic accident rates have spiked sharply as drivers misjudge braking distances or fail to see stationary vehicles or road hazards in time. Insurance and logistics industry data suggest that collision claims can increase significantly on heavy fog days, especially during the early morning commute.
Public transport operators and bus companies are also reviewing schedules and routing. In extreme conditions, authorities have previously instructed heavy trucks and buses to delay journeys until visibility improves, to reduce the risk of multi vehicle pile ups on key freight corridors. Commuters using intercity buses between Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah are being advised to prepare for slower journeys and possible temporary route adjustments where visibility is poorest.
Despite the precautions, congestion is expected on several of the country’s main arteries, particularly around interchanges leading to airports, ports and industrial complexes. With many residents resuming regular work and school routines after the weekend, the timing of the fog event has added to pressure on the already busy morning peak.
Ports, Logistics and Maritime Operations Brace for Disruption
Beyond roads and runways, dense fog has significant implications for maritime operations across the UAE’s major ports, including Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port and other coastal logistics hubs. Reduced visibility in harbour areas and shipping lanes can force vessel movements to slow, anchorage traffic to be staggered and some manoeuvres, such as berthing or pilotage, to be delayed until conditions improve.
Port authorities are coordinating closely with shipping agents, terminal operators and logistics companies to prioritise essential cargoes and manage vessel queues. Fog not only complicates navigation but also affects the ability of pilot boats, tug crews and line handlers to work safely near quaysides and channel entrances. In similar past events, early morning cargo runs between ports and inland logistics hubs have faced delays as truck drivers contend simultaneously with low visibility on the roads and slower than usual loading and unloading operations at terminals.
Logistics and freight forwarders report that while critical operations continue under strictly controlled conditions, clients should anticipate some delays in both import and export flows, particularly for time sensitive consignments. Warehouses and distribution centres inland are being advised to factor in additional buffer time for deliveries and to communicate updated timelines to downstream customers, including retailers and manufacturers dependent on just in time supply chains.
For ferry services and smaller commercial vessels operating along the coast and in the Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, the combination of fog and periods of rougher seas later at night poses added challenges. Maritime safety advisories are reminding skippers to use radar and navigation aids diligently, maintain safe speeds and avoid unnecessary trips in the thickest fog zones.
Why the UAE Is Prone to Sudden, Intense Fog Events
The current red alert underscores a familiar seasonal hazard for the UAE. During the cooler months, a combination of clear skies at night, moist air near the surface and relatively light winds can allow ground temperatures to drop quickly, causing moisture to condense into what meteorologists call radiation fog. When conditions are ideal, this fog can form rapidly in the pre dawn hours and thicken into a dense blanket that covers highways, runways and open desert in a matter of minutes.
Coastal and low lying areas between Abu Dhabi and Dubai are particularly susceptible, as the interaction between relatively warm Gulf waters and cooler land surfaces drives humidity levels higher overnight. The result is a recurring pattern of winter fog outbreaks that can persist for several hours after sunrise, until solar heating gradually dissipates the moisture. National forecasters have warned that the present setup of humid nights, rising daytime temperatures and intermittent rain may sustain mist and fog episodes for several days.
Urban expansion, new roads and rapidly growing logistics hubs mean more people and goods are exposed to the impact of these weather events than in the past. Modern infrastructure systems, such as smart speed limit gantries, real time traffic monitoring and advanced landing systems at airports, have improved the country’s ability to manage fog related disruption. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of traffic volumes across highways and through major airports means even short lived visibility reductions can ripple across the transport network.
Authorities have been emphasising public awareness and preparedness as crucial elements in reducing risk. Campaigns by police, road safety agencies and aviation authorities focus on basic but often neglected behaviours, including maintaining safe distances, avoiding high beam lights in fog, and allowing additional time for journeys when red or yellow alerts are issued by the meteorological service.
Impact on Residents, Tourists and the Wider Travel Industry
For residents and visitors alike, the latest red alert is a reminder that even in a destination famed for predictable sunshine, winter travel plans can be upended by sudden weather shifts. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are among the world’s busiest international hubs, handling vast numbers of transit passengers whose itineraries depend on tight connections. When dense fog forces even minor schedule adjustments, missed connections, rebookings and extended layovers can quickly multiply, straining airport facilities and airline customer service teams.
Hotels near major airports and in downtown districts may see a short term uptick in last minute bookings from stranded or delayed passengers, although this comes at the cost of disrupted onward journeys and potential additional expenses for travellers. Tour operators, particularly those running early morning desert safaris, hot air balloon trips or coastal excursions, are assessing conditions and in some cases postponing or cancelling departures until visibility improves and safety can be assured.
For business travellers, the timing of delays can be especially sensitive, with meetings, conferences and contract signings scheduled around previously reliable flight timings. Corporations with regional headquarters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi often build some weather related flexibility into their travel policies during the peak fog months, but the intensity of a red alert still tests contingency planning. Remote work arrangements, increasingly common across the UAE, may help mitigate the impact on productivity when staff are stuck at home or in transit due to fog related slowdowns.
Domestic tourism and weekend getaways can also be affected, particularly for residents driving between emirates. Those planning early starts to reach beach resorts, mountain trails or cultural sites are being advised to delay departure until later in the morning, when visibility improves and congestion eases on the main routes out of the cities.
Practical Advice for Travellers in and through the UAE
With the red alert still fresh and further misty or foggy mornings forecast in the days ahead, both residents and international visitors can take practical steps to reduce disruption and enhance safety. Travellers flying into or out of Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah are urged to monitor airline notifications closely, use official airport apps where available and sign up for text alerts that flag gate changes, delays or rebookings. Those with tight onward connections should consider the possibility of missed flights and build in additional buffer time where schedules allow.
Passengers heading to the airport during foggy conditions should allow substantially more time than usual for the journey, bearing in mind that speed limits may be reduced and that minor incidents can quickly cause tailbacks when visibility is low. Taxis and ride hailing services may also take longer to arrive, as drivers navigate slower moving traffic and potential road diversions. When possible, using metro or other mass transit links partly mitigates congestion, but road legs to and from stations will still be affected.
Motorists making intercity journeys are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel during the thickest fog window and to follow police and meteorological guidance. Simple precautions such as using low beam headlights and fog lights, steering clear of sudden braking, and refraining from overtaking unless absolutely necessary can dramatically reduce the risk of accidents. If visibility becomes too poor, experts recommend pulling over in a safe, designated area away from moving traffic rather than stopping on the hard shoulder, where parked vehicles are at high risk of being struck by other drivers who cannot see them in time.
For sea goers, including recreational boaters and anglers, the combination of reduced visibility and potentially rougher seas later in the day warrants extra caution. Authorities advise deferring non essential trips, ensuring all navigation and communication equipment is functioning correctly, and maintaining close contact with harbour control where applicable.
Looking Ahead: A Week of Changeable Conditions
While the most intense fog episode associated with the current red alert is expected to lift by late morning, outlooks from the National Centre of Meteorology and regional weather services indicate a week of changeable, occasionally challenging conditions across the Emirates. Partly cloudy skies, intermittent showers over islands and coastal districts, and a continued pattern of humid nights and early morning mist will keep transport operators and travellers on alert.
Temperatures are projected to edge upward through Monday before easing slightly over some coastal and western areas by midweek, a pattern that can sustain the humidity levels needed for further fog formation. Light to moderate winds, occasionally strengthening and shifting direction as weather systems move through, may also influence how and where fog banks form, leaving some corridors clear while others experience sudden drops in visibility.
Authorities stress that while such weather events are not unusual for this time of year, the intensity of the current red alert and its broad impact across air, road and sea networks warrant continued vigilance. Residents and visitors are encouraged to follow updates from official channels, respect temporary speed limits and operational restrictions, and plan journeys with a margin of flexibility over the coming days.
For the wider travel and tourism industry, the episode serves as a fresh test of resilience and communication. As the UAE continues to position itself as a year round global hub, the lessons learned from each bout of severe fog help refine contingency plans, strengthen coordination between agencies and improve the information available to the millions of people who pass through the country’s airports, highways and ports every month.