Dense fog forced Abu Dhabi authorities to reduce speed limits to 80kph on Friday morning, while Dubai Police issued warnings as poor visibility affected roads across several parts of the UAE.Abu Dhabi Police sent alerts to motorists advising them of temporary speed restrictions and urging caution during the early morning hours. Drivers were instructed to observe variable speed limits displayed on electronic road signs rather than relying on the normal limits applicable to individual highways.
Dubai Police separately warned motorists about deteriorating visibility, advising them to reduce their speed according to road conditions and exercise particular care while travelling through fog-affected areas.
The National Centre of Meteorology issued red and yellow fog alerts across several emirates, warning that horizontal visibility could fall substantially. The warnings remained effective until 9am on Friday, covering areas where dense fog had developed overnight and persisted into the morning commute.
The weather affected locations extending from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Ras Al Khaimah, with motorists encountering difficult conditions on major highways and urban roads. Visibility was particularly restricted in some areas, where road signs became discernible only at distances of approximately 100 metres.
Abu Dhabi Police emphasised that drivers must comply with changing speed restrictions whenever electronic information boards indicate temporary limits. The measures are designed to reduce collision risks when fog prevents motorists from identifying vehicles, junctions and other potential hazards at normal driving distances.
The authority said motorists should exercise caution because of reduced visibility and follow the instructions displayed on roadside electronic boards. Its warning formed part of the emirate's established system for adjusting permissible speeds during hazardous weather.
Dubai Police issued a corresponding advisory through its official communication channels, drawing attention to fog formation across parts of the emirate. The force urged drivers to adapt their speed to prevailing conditions instead of assuming that ordinary road limits remained appropriate.
The restrictions in Abu Dhabi were mandatory where activated, while Dubai's announcement focused on precautionary driving measures. Authorities did not announce an equivalent emirate-wide temporary speed limit for Dubai.
The meteorological alerts reflected varying levels of risk across the country. Red warnings identified areas facing more serious visibility problems, while yellow warnings indicated conditions requiring additional awareness and caution.
The National Centre of Meteorology forecast fair to partly cloudy weather for Friday, with the possibility of rainfall over eastern and southern areas during the afternoon as convective clouds developed.
Temperatures were expected to reach approximately 37 degrees Celsius in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah, with minimum readings around 29 degrees in the three emirates. The forecast indicated that daytime warmth would continue despite the fog affecting early travel.
Humidity was expected to increase again on Friday night and into Saturday morning across some coastal and inland districts. The meteorological authority indicated that further fog or mist could develop where atmospheric conditions supported condensation near ground level.
Winds were forecast to remain generally light to moderate, although occasional strengthening could produce gusts reaching 45kph. Stronger winds could also raise dust, creating another potential source of reduced visibility independently of the morning fog.
Marine conditions were expected to remain slight to moderate at times in the Arabian Gulf, while the Oman Sea was forecast to experience slight seas.
Abu Dhabi's variable speed management system allows authorities to introduce temporary restrictions during fog, heavy rainfall and other conditions that make ordinary driving speeds unsafe. Electronic roadside signs communicate the applicable limits directly to approaching motorists.
The system requires drivers to respond to conditions on individual stretches of road, recognising that visibility can differ considerably between neighbouring areas. Restrictions can therefore apply selectively rather than uniformly across the emirate's entire road network.
Motorists who disregard activated limits risk traffic penalties. Abu Dhabi's enforcement arrangements include speed cameras operating in accordance with applicable temporary restrictions, making compliance necessary even where the usual posted limit is higher.
Police safety guidance also advises drivers to maintain sufficient distance from vehicles ahead, avoid abrupt lane changes and use appropriate headlights when travelling through fog. Hazard warning lights should not be used while a vehicle is moving normally.
Drivers encountering exceptionally poor visibility are advised to avoid sudden braking or stopping within active traffic lanes, where approaching vehicles may have insufficient time to react.
The morning conditions also highlighted the importance of monitoring official weather bulletins and traffic announcements before departure, particularly when travelling between emirates.
The meteorological authority's Friday forecast indicated that humidity would remain a factor overnight, with coastal and internal areas among those susceptible to renewed mist formation during the early hours of Saturday.
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