More than 50 flights cancelled, delayed at Auckland Airport after fog rolls in

Over 50 flights have been delayed and cancelled out of Auckland Airport this morning due to fog, as Kiwis across the country wake up to a fresh cold snap.

As of just after 10am, about 14 departing and 14 arriving domestic regional flights had been cancelled and 26 domestic regional flights delayed, an airport spokesperson said.

Eight main trunk flights to and from Christchurch and Queenstown had also been delayed by fog.

So far, no international flights have been affected.

Auckland Airport put the restrictions in place at 6.03am.

Eventually the harbour bridge 🌉 appears. pic.twitter.com/Bc2IWAHS3V

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) August 6, 2024

Last month, hundreds of flights were cancelled over several weeks due to thick fog that blanketed Auckland.

MetService forecaster Lewis Ferris said a mixing pot of bad ingredients was causing the fog to hang around.

He said the sun’s low angle this winter solstice, high clouds blocking the sun, and a lack of wind made for perfect foggy conditions.

The weather also played havoc with the city’s transport system.

Morning fog rolls into Mangawhai. Photo / Michael Craig.

Sub-zero mornings and rain for rest of week

Forecasters are warning many areas will experience frosty, sub-zero mornings and rain for the rest of the working week.

This morning, Auckland woke to a cold 5C, while Whangārei saw 4C.

Christchurch residents started their morning in the negatives.

Napier, Rotorua and Hamilton began the day with a frigid 0C.

MetService meteorologist Dom Barry said a broad ridge of high pressure earlier this week had brought settled weather.

“It will be disrupted by a low-pressure system and its associated fronts, which approach from the west, bringing wet weather as we head into Wednesday.”

This week's outlook 👀

🌧 Almost everyone will see some rain this week with the incoming system from the south and west - stay up to date with the latest forecasts at https://t.co/Yjbq0jgaoz pic.twitter.com/erwm1iWxr5

— MetService (@MetService) August 5, 2024

Barry said rain was set to pour in the South Island today and tomorrow before moving to the North Island tomorrow and Friday.

“This is a double-whammy feature with rain bands coming from the south and the west, combining, so we are expecting just about everyone to see some form of rainfall in the period from Wednesday to Friday.”

He said temperatures would peak in the early to mid-teens for most places throughout the week.

“This rain system has another ridge behind it, so it appears to be fast-moving.

“Much of the rainfall should be gone by the end of the working week, although some precipitation will linger about southern and eastern North Island.”