Dense fog disrupts 21 flights in Dubai as cooler, wetter weather sets in
Dense early morning fog caused widespread disruption to air travel in Dubai over the weekend, with dozens of flights delayed or diverted and motorists warned of reduced visibility on roads across the UAE.
Dubai Airports confirmed that weather conditions in the early hours of Saturday led to the diversion of 21 inbound flights from Dubai International Airport and two inbound flights from Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International. Flight schedules were thrown off balance as dense fog blanketed parts of Dubai and the northern emirates.
Dense fog
In a statement, Dubai Airports said teams were working closely with airlines, authorities and service partners to restore normal operations and support affected passengers. With conditions improving later in the morning, services began returning to normal, with a focus on minimising knock on delays.
Flight tracking data showed Emirates services to destinations including Colombo, Auckland, Dar es Salaam, Malé and Brisbane were among those delayed, some by up to two hours. Several flydubai departures to cities such as Mombasa and Krabi were also affected, with delays ranging from 30 minutes to more than an hour.
Operations were similarly disrupted at Sharjah International Airport, where a number of Air Arabia flights to and from destinations including Delhi, Kazan, Addis Ababa, Bishkek, Alexandria and Cochin were reported to be running late.
The National Centre of Meteorology had issued a fog alert earlier, warning of reduced visibility in Dubai, Sharjah and other parts of the country during the early morning hours.
Cooler temperatures and rain ahead
The fog formed as humid overnight conditions combined with falling temperatures, particularly along coastal areas. Forecasters say the risk of mist and fog remains elevated into the early hours of Monday, with motorists urged to take extra care.
On Sunday, the lowest temperature in the country was recorded in Sila, Al Dhafra, where the mercury dropped to 10C. Fujairah was expected to be the warmest spot, reaching highs of around 28C.
Conditions are set to remain cool through the start of the week. On Monday, temperatures are forecast to dip to 12C in Al Ruwais and Al Quaa, while highs of about 28C are expected in Sweihan. Abu Dhabi is forecast to reach 25C, with Dubai peaking at 26C, although overnight lows will be cooler in Dubai at around 15C compared with 18C in the capital.
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Tuesday is expected to be largely sunny at first, but light rain is forecast as cloud builds across much of the country. Lows of 10C are expected in Al Quaa, with Al Ain seeing highs of around 26C. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are both forecast to see daytime temperatures in the mid 20s.
By Wednesday, early fog and mist are again likely, followed by freshening north easterly winds of up to 35kph. These conditions could lift dust and further reduce visibility in some areas, creating potentially hazardous driving conditions.
Temperatures are forecast to fall back to around 10C in locations including Gasyoura, Al Quaa, Razeen and Al Ain, with daytime highs of about 23C across much of the country, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah.
With further unsettled weather expected through the week, residents and travellers are being advised to monitor forecasts closely and allow extra time for journeys, particularly during the early morning hours when fog is most likely to form.
