Fog restrictions remain in place at Auckland Airport into the afternoon, with more than two dozen flights out of Auckland Airport grounded and no indication when the gloomy situation will end.
For the second day running, extreme fog is affecting flights in and out of the city and causing delays and cancellations to all ferry services across the Waitematā Harbour.
MetService said the fog, which is intensifying in parts of Auckland, was likely to stick around the top of the country for most of the morning before clearing.
However, pockets of low cloud have remained over the city's waterfront and airport leading to ongoing travel disruption for those hoping to fly to provincial centres on smaller aircraft and sailing across the harbour.
By 11am, Auckland Airport said there were 23 cancellations to regional centres since a fog restriction came into force at 4.45am. A further three flights had been recently delayed after nine were held up earlier in the morning.
At 12.40pm, an airport spokesperson said there were 24 domestic regional flights cancelled and two delayed due to ongoing fog.
After 1pm the airport said 26 domestic regional flights had been cancelled and three were delayed due to fog.
International flights and main trunk domestic routes have not been affected by the fog.
Those flying this morning were advised to check on the latest flight arrival and departure information.
Yesterday, nearly 20 flights between Auckland and regional centres were grounded until the fog lifted mid-morning.
Fog and low cloud over the North Island again this morning shown in this night time enhanced satellite image, while high cloud is engulfing the South Island ahead of the next front. Fog is likely to stick around the upper North Island most of the morning. https://t.co/Yjbq0jgaoz pic.twitter.com/yhsejI4vse
— MetService (@MetService) August 4, 2022
Commuters using the city's harbour ferries to get to work have been told to once again to expect delays due to extreme fog.
A lunchtime sailing to Devonport and back was cancelled due to the fog.
Earlier traffic cameras showed fog widespread across the city, especially in southern and western suburbs.
Motorists on the motorway network were reminded to turn on headlights and keep a safe following distance this morning.
Another very foggy morning, so with the reduced visibility today please remember to keep your headlights on and mind your following distance this morning. #SwitchOnToBeSeen. ^MF pic.twitter.com/ZRv6szSBn1
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) August 4, 2022
The foggy start comes as South Islanders are in line for the harshest weather in coming days with strong winds, heavy rain and low snow forecast.
Orange Heavy Rain Warnings are already in place for Westland, Fiordland and the headwaters of the Canterbury and Otago lakes and rivers today and Saturday.
Western parts of the South Island will be wet today, while better weather was expected everywhere else, said MetService forecaster Aidan Pyselman.
Just in case there isn't enough weather in the next few days... From Sunday, a significantly cold southerly flow starts moving north over New Zealand, bringing rain to the east of both Islands, and snow to low levels in parts of the South Island. Check https://t.co/Yjbq0jxdqz ^SG pic.twitter.com/zYisDhviTC
— MetService (@MetService) August 4, 2022
Saturday is expected to bring heavy rain to many parts of the country due to a weather system moving northeast over New Zealand but the North Island is not expected to cop the rain to the same extent as the south.
MetService is warning more than 200mm of rain is expected to fall in the ranges, which could cause rivers that were already running high to rise further.
It is also warning significant snow melt may also contribute to rising rivers.
Strong northwesterlies prompted the issuing of a number of severe weather warnings for large parts of the South Island yesterday. These proceed a front that is forecast to sit over southern New Zealand later today.
It is warning the strongest winds are likely in the Canterbury High Country, where damaging gusts of 140 to 160km/h are expected.
As the weather system moves in on Saturday, the heaviest rain is expected on the western coast of the South Island while damaging gusts of 150km/h are possible for the Canterbury High Country.
Marlborough, Wellington and Wairarapa were also expected to receive high winds and further wind warnings were not out of the question, said Pyselman.
On Sunday there would be a significant cold outbreak spreading north over the country bringing bitterly cold southerly rain to the east of both Islands as well as snow to low levels for inland parts of the South Island.
"That's where we are going to see potential rain for southern and eastern parts and some of that potential low snow for the South Island on Sunday."
Pyselman said the snow could be quite widespread.
"It looks like [there could be snow in areas] from the bottom of [the] island right up into the Kaikōura Ranges ... and anywhere in between there could be some pretty low snow, but [no areas] have been pinpointed yet.
Sunday's chilly temperatures kick off what is expected to be the "coldest week of winter coming up for NZ so far" next week, posted Hauraki Gulf weather.
A classic August cold shot with a lowering tropopause next week. The coldest week of winter coming up for NZ so far. pic.twitter.com/fI06Xy189L
— Hauraki Gulf Weather (@GulfHauraki) August 4, 2022
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