Forecasters issue fog alert over Dubai and Abu Dhabi

The sun rises behind skyscrapers amidst the clouds on a foggy morning in the Dubai Marina. Ollie Maher

Thick fog over Dubai Marina on Wednesday morning. Pawan Singh / The National

Dubai Media City was covered with early morning fog. Pawan Singh / The National

Visibility was reduced on Sheikh Zayed Road as fog covered parts of the country. Pawan Singh / The National

Thick fog covered Dubai Media City on Wednesday morning. Pawan Singh / The National

Workers waiting to cross the road in Discovery Gardens in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the early morning fog in Discovery Gardens in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Visibility was reduced as the country woke up to thick fog today. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the early morning fog in Discovery Gardens in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

View of the early morning fog in Discovery Gardens area in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Fog and mist cover the Burj Al Arab as a boat passes by. Chris Whiteoak / The National

A barely visible Burj Al Arab in thick fog. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Early morning fog around the Al Sufouh and JLT area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fog in Dubai Marina on Wednesday morning. Ollie Maher

Early morning fog around the Al Sufouh and JLT area of Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fog covered the Al Sufouh area and Jumeirah Lake Towers in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

Fog covered parts of the country on Wednesday morning. Ollie Maher

Temperatures are predicted to hit 36°C in Dubai as clouds clear up. Ollie Maher

Local forecasters issued a weather alert on Friday morning warning of heavy fog over parts of Dubai and Sharjah.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued a red alert, indicating visibility of less than 1km, over much of internal Dubai, including Al Maktoum Airport, Arabian Ranches and International City up until Lehbab.

Motorists travelling between Dubai and Abu Dhabi were warned to expect patches of fog and urged to drive with caution.

Residents reported seeing dense fog clinging to Dubai's skyscrapers as the sun rose over the city.

The red alert extended to Abu Dhabi's borders with areas including Sweihan reporting thick fog.

A lighter yellow alert, which warns of expected areas of fog and mist, was issued for Abu Dhabi's Al Ajban area and further south-west in Madinat Zayed.

Once the fog dissipates, by around 9am, weather is expected to be fair throughout the weekend and humid overnight. The humidity, coupled with a slight drop in temperature overnight will cause more fog on Saturday and Sunday morning.

Light to moderate winds of between 18 and 28kph will keep conditions fresh as temperatures rise as high as 44°C in internal areas.

People along the coast can expect slightly cooler conditions with highs of 42°C and lows of 26°C. Temperatures in the mountains are expected to range between 20°C to 36°C.

Waters will be mostly calm in the Arabian Gulf and Sea of Oman throughout the weekend.

Fog is typical in the UAE at this time of year as humidity levels begin to rise and summer temperatures begin to drop.

While conditions have been reasonably cool of late, high humidity typically sets in over September and October. The UAE's "winter months" generally begin in November with cooler temperatures and little to no humidity.