UAE weather forecast: Morning fog in Dubai and Abu Dhabi

Forecasters say expect a maximum of 24°C in Abu Dhabi and 25°C in Dubai today

Early morning fog causes low visibility in Dubai on January 13, 2022. Antonie Robertson / The National

The sun rises between the city's skyscrapers. Antonie Robertson / The National

Motorists cautiously begin their commute. Antonie Robertson / The National

As the fog clears a few clouds can be seen in the sky. Antonie Robertson / The National

A jogger enjoys the cooler temperatures. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fog covers the city's iconic buildings. Antonie Robertson / The National

Motorists make their way to work in the fog. Antonie Robertson / The National

It was also a hazy morning along the Al Gurm Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Gate Tower on Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi, is pictured among the haze. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

The capital's Pineapple building stands tall as day breaks. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Abu Dhabi's skyline is just visible in the distance. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Parts of the UAE were blanketed in thick fog early on Thursday, as humidity rose overnight.

The weather today will be fair to partly cloudy, with humidity at night and into Friday morning over some coastal and internal areas.

There will be a chance of fog or mist, and winds will be light to moderate.

Conditions will be slight in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Why does fog form in the UAE?

The UAE has averaged 132 days of fog formation a year since records began in 2006, with the longest stretch recorded in 2010, when there were 17 days of fog and five days of mist in January.

Fog season does not usually begin until mid-December and runs until the end of March, aided by clear skies and calm conditions. The sun usually burns it off by 9am, unless it is thick, in which case it has been known to hang around until almost midday.

About 95 per cent of the fog in the UAE is radiation fog, which forms in the early hours as heat absorbed by the Earth's surface during the day radiates into the air, causing water droplets to form. It dissipates in the heat of the sun.

Advection fog is another type seen in the UAE. It forms when warm, moist air passes over a cool surface, creating water vapour.

Both types of fog can result in extremely dangerous driving conditions, such as in February 2018, when a lorry ploughed into a line of traffic in thick fog. In total, 44 vehicles were involved in the pile-up on the E311 road between Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

In 2011, one person died and dozens were injured in a pile-up involving 127 vehicles on the Abu Dhabi-Dubai motorway during thick fog.

Police issue warnings to motorists to inform them of the dangers of driving in fog, reducing the speed limits on motorways if it is particularly dense.