Frosty start as fog cancels flights

Fog restrictions are in place at Auckland Airport after a frosty start to the morning. Photo / Zoe Farnath

Fog is continuing to cause travel chaos at Auckland Airport.

Passengers booked on flights to Kerikeri and Taupo have been loaded onto buses, as nearly 30 domestic flights are cancelled, and nearly 20 delayed. Flights to and from Christchurch, Wellington and Queenstown are also affected.

Five planes heading overseas have also been delayed.

Passengers should check www.aucklandairport.co.nz or Auckland Airport's iPhone app for the latest flight arrival and departure information.

MetService forecaster Chelsea Glue said fog coverrf a wide swathe of the island from Auckland to Manawatu this morning and although most of it lifted once the sun rose, some areas of the Waikato and King Country would remain foggy and enjoy only a few hours daylight.

Auckland Transport said the fog was clearing but warned drivers to "take extra care out there".

A tweet from NZTA said motorists had reduced visibility because of the fog. A spokeswoman said the fog was moving and changing constantly.

"It's not caused any issues this morning, but the Transport Agency reminds motorists to take extra care, increase following distances between you and the vehicle in front and switch your headlights on."

Elsewhere in the North Island, wispy high cloud would start to form ahead of tomorrow's approaching wet weather.

A number of severe watches have been issued ahead of a monster low that spans the Tasman. Intense downpours are expected to drench Northland tomorrow morning before spreading south later in the day.

Ms Glue said the South Island was in for a fine day except for the southernmost regions, which would have rain and showers.

Today's forecast:

• Auckland 16 Foggy, cloudy.
• Hamilton 13 Foggy, cloudy.
• Wellington 13 Morning cloud becoming fine
• Christchurch 11 sunny
• Dunedin 11 cloudy, afternoon showers