UAE weather: Dense fog hits Abu Dhabi with single-digit temperatures predicted for weekend

Drivers told not to exceed 80kph on a number of major roads, as visibility is reduced

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  Fog covers Reem Island in Abu Dhabi. Stephen Nelmes / The National

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  Fog rolls in over Abu Dhabi's city centre. Tim Knowles / The National

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  Visibility was greatly reduced in the early morning. Tom Herbert / The National

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  The sun pierces through the mist. Tim Knowles / The National

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  The fog clears to reveal blue skies. Tim Knowles / The National

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  Residents experienced a chilly start to the morning as some areas sank below 10°C in the early hours and were still around 14°C by 8am on Thursday. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Fog drifts across Qasr Al Hosn. The National Centre of Meteorology issued an alert as the murky weather descended over most of the coastline, stretching deep inland. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Speed limits were reduced on several motorways in the UAE capital on Thursday as a result of the fog. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  Fog also affected Reem Island. Drivers were told not to exceed 80kph on a number of major roads as visibility was reduced to less than 1,000 metres. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

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  The fog was expected to lift by the late morning. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Police reduced speed limits on several motorways in Abu Dhabi after dense fog engulfed the emirate early on Thursday.

The National Centre of Meteorology issued an alert as the murky weather descended over most of the coastline, stretching deep inland.

Drivers were told not to exceed 80kph on a number of major roads, as visibility was reduced to less than 1,000 metres.

Residents across the UAE also experienced a chilly start to the morning. Some areas sank below 10°C in the early hours and were still around 14°C by 8am.

The fog is expected to lift by 10.30am.

It will be partly cloudy in Abu Dhabi, but sunnier in Dubai.

Winds will be light to moderate and conditions will be slight to moderate in the Arabian Gulf, becoming rough overnight. It will be calm in the Sea of Oman.

Residents can expect a "significant drop" in temperatures by the weekend, according to NCM forecasters.

The significantly colder weather is set to hit western and coastal areas by Friday.