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Aug 25, 2023

Flights cancelled, motorway visibility low as fog blankets Auckland

Share this article The sun is starting to shine after a cold, misty start to the day in Tāmaki Makaurau with a wintry blanket of fog across the city cancelling flights, disrupting ferries and slowing

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The sun is starting to shine after a cold, misty start to the day in Tāmaki Makaurau with a wintry blanket of fog across the city cancelling flights, disrupting ferries and slowing drivers.

Fog restrictions remain in place at Auckland Airport, with 15 flights in and out of Auckland cancelled due to low visibility and a further 21 regional flights delayed.

Those included services from Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga, Nelson and New Plymouth, an Air New Zealand spokesperson said.

A potentially overheight vehicle also saw the Waterview Tunnel temporarily close to traffic heading north.

Waka Kotahi NZTA said the stretch of SH20 was closed at 8.40am but reopened at 8.45am.

UPDATE 8:45AMTwo lanes have now reopened prior to the Northbound Waterview Tunnel on #SH20. Expect some delays until all lanes reopen. ^TP https://t.co/Bb6n2dOBI1

Motorists were warned to expect ongoing delays.

Some flights into Hamilton from Wellington had also been cancelled due to foggy conditions in Hamilton.

“We have been communicating with affected customers to reaccommodate them and thank them for their understanding and patience while we work through these weather challenges.”

As of 7.40am fog restrictions were still in place, an Auckland Airport spokesperson said. International flights and domestic flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown had not been affected.

Customers were advised to keep an eye on the Air New Zealand and airport websites for the most up-to-date flight information.

Extensive fog is also lying across Auckland’s motorways, with drivers barely able to see 50 metres ahead in some areas.

The setting moon 🌕 amid the fog engulfing Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland.Good news: Fog will lift this morning with a super blue moon (🔵) from early this evening. pic.twitter.com/9wTlLwZZG4

Traffic is particularly slow on State Highway 1 following a crash around 6.30am, which blocked a northbound lane after the Southeastern Highway onramp, near Sylvia Park. The crash is now cleared but commuters should still expect delays, Waka Kotahi said.

Waitematā Harbour is also shrouded in fog, with ferry services also delayed by at least 10-15 minutes, according to Auckland Transport.

Bayswater, Birkenhead, Devonport, Gulf Harbour, Half Moon Bay, Hobsonville, Matiatia and West Harbour ferry services will be experiencing 10-15 minute delays from 05:45 to 09:30 this morning due to fog. pic.twitter.com/yBqLnLwkw3

MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said there was quite extensive and thick fog across the city around dawn.

Fog cover had been fluctuating at Auckland Airport which had allowed most flights to land thus far.

“The wind is fairly light so we’ve got to wait for the sun to clear it out. The current thinking is it won’t last past 9am - fingers crossed,” Wotherspoon said.

Yesterday’s rain followed by light wind and clear skies had contributed to this morning’s fog.

“There’s quite a lot of moisture in the air, which overnight - when it cools down - condensates, not just on the ground but in the lower air around it, which creates fog.”

The city’s temperature is sitting at 6C. Once the morning chill lifts, today is expected to be dry and sunny for much of New Zealand, according to MetService.

Showers over parts of the upper North Island today (including these ones making a beeline for Auckland) should clear overnight revealing a mostly fine Thursday for these areas. However, there might be some morning fog to start with. Latest radar at https://t.co/7k3nmeeZKF^SG pic.twitter.com/zpfLxoAcEr

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