Commuters across the UAE woke up to a challenging start this Tuesday morning as a combination of thick blankets of fog and heavy traffic bottlenecks gripped the nation. While Abu Dhabi dealt with dangerously low visibility, drivers traveling between Sharjah and Dubai faced the familiar crawl of morning congestion. Here is everything you need to know to navigate your journey safely.
UAE morning weather
Motorists in the UAE woke up to dense fog across several emirates early today, particularly in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and parts of Sharjah, prompting urgent weather and safety alerts. The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) reported low horizontal visibility across coastal and internal areas, with dense fog persisting through the morning hours.Police and weather authorities warned that visibility could decrease sharply below 1,000 metres in some areas, making it harder for drivers to see clearly on major highways and arterial roads during the morning commute.As a result of conditions, temperatures dipped noticeably, with early-morning readings cooler than usual for this time of year, enhancing the likelihood of continued fog and mist.
Traffic delays on E11 and E311
As the fog blanketed the capital, the northern emirates faced a different kind of slow-down. The E11 (Al Ittihad Road) remains the biggest pain point for commuters traveling from Sharjah into Dubai, with tailbacks stretching from Al Nahda all the way toward the Dubai International Airport tunnels. Simultaneously, the E311 (Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road) is seeing significant “stop-and-go” traffic near the Mirdif City Centre area and the Sharjah-Dubai border. These delays are adding an extra 20 to 30 minutes to standard commute times, so if you haven’t left yet, taking the E611 (Emirates Road) might be your best bet for a slightly clearer path.
Police warnings
Police forces across the emirates have been active on social media and via official channels, urging drivers to adopt extra caution while navigating fog-affected roads.Abu Dhabi Police reminded drivers to obey speed limits, follow traffic signs and use low-beam headlights when visibility is low. They also emphasized the importance of safe following distances and adhering to variable message boards which display changing speed limits in real time.Authorities generally recommend drivers:
- Maintain a safe gap between vehicles
- Use fog or low-beam headlights, not high beams
- Avoid overtaking in poor visibility
- Reduce speed even if posted limits are temporarily raised
Emergency services stressed that caution is essential for both motorists and pedestrians in foggy conditions, reinforcing that road safety starts with responsible driving.
What to expect?
The good news is that the heavy atmosphere is temporary. As the morning progresses, the NCM predicts the fog will lift, giving way to a fair and occasionally cloudy afternoon. Temperatures are expected to remain pleasant, hovering in the mid-20s across the coastal cities, though humidity will likely return tonight, bringing a high chance of more fog for Wednesday morning. If you are heading out later today, the traffic is expected to ease by noon, but always keep an eye on those overhead electronic boards for real-time speed limit updates.
About the Author
