Short answer: the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) expects fair to partly cloudy skies across the UAE from Friday 16 to Monday 19 October 2026, with clouds building over eastern areas in the afternoons and a chance of rain there. Expect fog or mist on most mornings, gusty winds that can raise dust, and daytime highs of around 37°C on the coast. This is not a severe-weather warning, but it is worth planning your early drives around the fog.
Day by day
| Day | Sky and rain | Morning fog or mist |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 16 October | Fair to partly cloudy; convective clouds over eastern areas in the afternoon may bring rain | Dense fog in parts of the country early on Friday; humid again Friday night into Saturday |
| Saturday 17 October | Similar to Friday, with afternoon clouds and possible rain in some areas | Fog or mist possible on Saturday morning and again overnight into Sunday |
| Sunday 18 October | Rain-bearing clouds may form over parts of the north and east in the afternoon | Chance of fog or mist overnight into Monday |
| Monday 19 October | Afternoon showers reportedly possible, mainly in eastern and southern areas | Mist possible in coastal and inland areas overnight into Tuesday 20 October |
Winds are forecast to be light to moderate, turning from south-easterly to north-westerly, at 10 to 25 km/h. Gusts of up to 40 to 45 km/h are possible where clouds build, which can blow dust and cut visibility. Seas should stay slight in both the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
How hot will it be?
Khaleej Times, citing the NCM, reported highs of 37°C in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah on Friday, with lows of 29°C. Earlier in the week The National reported Dubai cooling slightly to around 35°C by Saturday and Sunday, with inland Sweihan near 41°C on Saturday. Thursday’s highest reading was 43.5°C in Sweihan, Al Ain. We could not check these temperature figures directly against the NCM website, so treat them as a guide.
What it means for you
- Early commute: leave extra time on Saturday to Tuesday mornings. When the NCM issues a fog alert, Abu Dhabi lowers speed limits on some roads to 80 km/h, shown on the electronic signs. Our fog driving guide covers the reduced limits and fines.
- Heading east: if you are driving to Fujairah, Khorfakkan or the Hajar mountains in the afternoon, watch for sudden showers and avoid wadis when clouds build.
- Dust: gusty spells can lift dust. Keep windows closed and car headlights on if visibility drops.
- The bigger picture: the NCM has said this winter could be wetter than usual. See our El Niño rain forecast explainer for how to prepare your home and car.
Quick answers
Will it rain in Dubai this weekend?
The NCM forecast places the chance of rain mainly over eastern areas on Friday and Saturday afternoons, and over northern and eastern areas on Sunday. Dubai is not singled out, so check the NCM app for alerts on the day.
How hot will it be in the UAE this weekend?
Khaleej Times, citing the NCM, reported highs of 37 degrees Celsius in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah on Friday, with lows of 29 degrees. The National reported Dubai cooling slightly to about 35 degrees on Saturday and Sunday.
What should drivers do in fog?
Slow down, keep a longer gap to the car in front and use low-beam headlights. In Abu Dhabi, speed limits on some roads drop to 80 km/h during fog alerts, shown on the electronic signs.
Published 16 October 2026. Sources: National Centre of Meteorology forecasts as reported by Gulf News (16 October 2026), Khaleej Times (15 October 2026) and The National (14 October 2026). The temperature figures and the Monday outlook each come from a single report and could not be confirmed against the NCM website. Forecasts change: check the NCM app before you travel.
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