Footage taken from the Hobsonville Point to CBD ferry shows the dense fog across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Video / Chris Keall
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.
Auckland Airport finally lifted fog restrictions at 11.35am after they were in place since 2.15am.
Fog restrictions cancelled 10 domestic regional flights and delayed 23, Auckland Airport said at 10.40am.
Flights to Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown have not been affected by the fog. International flights are also unaffected.
Affected flights included services from Rotorua, Taupō, Tauranga, Nelson and New Plymouth, an Air New Zealand spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, a potentially overheight vehicle temporarily closed the Waterview Tunnel to traffic heading north.
Waka Kotahi NZTA said the stretch of SH20 was closed at 8.40am but reopened at 8.45am.
UPDATE 8:45AM Two lanes have now reopened prior to the Northbound Waterview Tunnel on #SH20. Expect some delays until all lanes reopen. ^TP https://t.co/Bb6n2dOBI1
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Auckland & Northland (@WakaKotahiAkNth) August 30, 2023
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.”
A wintry blanket of fog can be seen across Auckland city which has cancelled flights, disrupted ferries and slowed drivers. Photo / Sian Kilgour
View of Auckland in fog from the Sky Tower. Photo / Michael Craig August 31, 2023
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
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) August 30, 2023
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.
