Autumn may have officially arrived in the UAE, but the weather hasn't got the memo. The National Centre of Meteorology issued a red alert for fog overnight on Saturday, in place until 10am on Sunday, September 27, after visibility dropped across coastal and inland areas. Drivers were told to take extra care on affected roads, and the NCM expects humid conditions again overnight into Monday — so more mist and fog warnings could follow.
Once the morning fog lifted, Sunday itself looked fairly tame: generally fair to partly cloudy, with cloud building over the eastern parts of the country. Some of those clouds were expected to turn convective in the afternoon, which in UAE terms means a realistic chance of a passing shower. Temperatures, though, stayed firmly in summer mode — forecast highs of 39°C in Abu Dhabi and 38°C in Dubai, potentially touching 43°C elsewhere in the country, with overnight lows only dipping to around 29°C.
The astronomical autumn actually kicked in on September 23, at 4.05am, marking the official end of the UAE's long summer. But anyone expecting an instant cool-down will be disappointed: early autumn still averages highs around 39°C, and the real relief only arrives gradually. By early November, average highs are forecast to settle nearer 31°C — much more comfortable territory for sightseeing, desert trips and long lunches outdoors.
The other feature of the season's first half is humidity, especially overnight and in the early hours. That's what drives these recurring fog events: warm, moist air over cooling ground creates mist patches, and visibility warnings become a regular feature of UAE mornings until conditions genuinely ease. For residents it's a driving hazard; for travellers, it's mostly a matter of planning around early airport transfers and being patient with the occasional slow morning.
Why should holidaymakers care? If you're flying into Dubai or Abu Dhabi in late September or October, expect heat that feels more like peak summer than autumn, pack accordingly, and don't book early-morning desert excursions on days when fog is forecast — they're often delayed. The upside: this shoulder season brings lower prices and thinner crowds than the December-to-February peak, and by November the weather is genuinely pleasant. Just don't leave the sunscreen at home because the calendar says autumn.
