64 flights cancelled, delayed, as heavy fog shrouds Auckland

More than five dozen flights have been cancelled and delayed out of Auckland Airport after thick fog descended on Tāmaki Makaurau overnight.

Just after 10am, 31 domestic regional flights had been cancelled and 25 domestic regional flights delayed.

Nine flights on the main trunk had been affected by the fog, including NZ671 to Dunedin.

Conditions at the airport are not expected to clear until later this morning.

The fog is spread right across the city, with one commuter describing the conditions in West Auckland as “pea soup”.

Another said the very thick fog in the central city was “treacherous”.

Fog is blanketing Auckland this morning. Photo / File, Michael Craig

Flight restrictions were put in place at the airport just before 2am.

We are experiencing fog at Auckland Airport – delays and cancellations are expected. For the latest flight information visit https://t.co/YcGiDWOtvX.

— Auckland Airport (@AKL_Airport) September 1, 2024

Around 7am, the fog was “pretty thick”, with only about 200m of visibility, MetService meteorologist Alec Holden said.

By midday the fog is expected to have lifted, allowing the airport to resume normal functions.

Fog is also affecting Hamilton and other areas of the Waikato as well as Taumarunui and Te Kūiti.

Fog in the upper North Island, including Auckland, will dissipate by late morning. pic.twitter.com/PP1F0fGMmG

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) September 1, 2024

MetService earlier had forecast areas of morning low cloud and fog for Auckland, followed by the odd afternoon shower.

The temperature was just under 11C in Auckland early this morning but the city can expect a high of 20C today.