Fog at the Auckland waterfront this morning. Photo / Twitter
Fog at the Auckland waterfront this morning. Photo / Twitter
A blanket of fog caused flights to be cancelled and chaos on the motorways for Auckland this morning.
Fog restrictions at Auckland Airport were lifted at 11.15am, by which time 38 domestic flights were delayed and 28 cancelled. The restrictions had been in place since 6.41am.
One flight from Blenheimto Auckland had to be diverted to Rotorua.
Fog from our Auckland time lapse camera a top of the Sky Tower. Be sure to check your flights and drive to the conditions. @nzta_news pic.twitter.com/x3o4fzP5Qa
Fog also caused problems on the roads for morning commuters.
There has been a multi-vehicle crash on the Southwestern Motorway near the Dominion Rd on-ramp, blocking the right southbound lane. Motorists were asked to pass with extra care and expect delays amid the heavy fog.
A fog-obscured view of the Sky Tower this morning. Photo / Michael Craig
SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY, SOUTHBOUND - 6:50AM A multi-vehicle crash is blocking southbound lanes near the Dominion Rd on-ramp. Pass with extra care & expect delays. ^TP pic.twitter.com/tOc6Mwl4NA
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) June 12, 2019
Meanwhile on the other side of the same stretch of motorway a crash between Neilson St and Queenstown Rd is blocking the right lane.
— Myrddin (MG) 🏴🇳🇿 (@ohthatwelshguy) June 12, 2019
On the Northwestern Motorway SH16 a breakdown is blocking the left lane prior to the Royal Rd overbridge, causing delays through Westgate.
Fog over Auckland from Parau, west of Titirangi. Photo / Andrew Blackler
MetService meteorologist David Miller said a brief shower at the airport had cleared the fog, but there was a chance it could return again before clearing late morning.
Good morning Auckland: Take care on the commute this morning. We have a pockets of fog and stratus out there right now. What's the difference? The first forms bottom up, the second forms and lowers down. ^GG pic.twitter.com/OBjhhslna1
An elevated risk for fog may cause challenging driving conditions during the morning rush. Keep the lights on low beam and drive to the conditions as visibility may be low 🚗
After the fog cleared Auckland was in for a day of fine spells with the odd shower and a high of 16C.
Eastern and southern parts of the North Island were being affected by a slow-moving low pressure system today, bringing rain to the east and south of the North Island, and even some showers across to Taranaki.
The upper North Island would be mostly fine, with just some scattered showers, mostly about Northland.
The South Island would mostly be affected by low cloud today, ahead of a front arriving tonight, bringing rain to Fiordland.
On Friday the weak front would move up the South Island, bringing rain to western areas. Meanwhile in the North Island rain would start to ease.
On Saturday the front would make its way on to the North Island, bringing rain and showers alongside southwesterly winds to western areas, with better conditions in the east.
In the South Island showers and southwesterlies would continue for most places, with a similar story across the country Sunday.
"It is looking like an unsettled weekend of showers and southwesterlies for most places," Miller said.
