MetService said the fog returned overnight but has since been replaced by heavy rain that is expected to drench the city for most of today.
The rain was expected to linger into the afternoon before tracking south, making way for some fine spells this evening.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane told the Herald yesterday, the fog would return last evening and continue this morning. However, she said it would not linger.
At Auckland International Airport, fog restrictions were put in place at 1.10am yesterday and these were lifted about midday. At least 24 flights, all domestic, were either cancelled or delayed throughout Tuesday due to the conditions.
Auckland’s ferries were delayed as the fog stuck about the Waitematā Harbour, with services to Pine Harbour suspended for six hours until the fog fully cleared by 2.20pm.
The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) issued a warning to motorists in the fog, reminding them to keep their lights on, allow for extra travel times and keep a safe following distance from cars in front of them.
Looking further into today, MetService said possibly heavy rain could develop this morning before easing to isolated showers by the afternoon. A high of 14C and an overnight low of 8C was forecast.
MetService said Thursday should be fine, with a forecast high of 17C and a low of 10C.
Rain should develop throughout Friday. The end of the working week was tipped to reach 17C, falling to 11C, and these temperatures should continue until at least Monday.
Fog hanging around Auckland's Sky Tower yesterday morning. Photo / Martin Clyde-Wilkie
Widespread fog/low cloud can be seen on this morning's satellite imagery, especially in the north
Things are gradually starting to clear out, but the fog is expected to return later tonight
Auckland morning fog on Tuesday. Photo / Michael Craig
The heavy falls were credited to two low-pressure systems converging over New Zealand. One system lingering over the Tasman Sea was expected to move closer to the country on Friday while “another deeper low” from off Vanuatu was slated to pass over, MetService said.
Moving through Saturday, MetService expected the low-pressure system to move towards the Chatham Islands, allowing the rain about the North Island to ease into the evening.
MetService meteorologist John Laws told the Herald this week would “have lots of cloud, a lot more moisture [than last week] and some warmer temperatures”.
“It’s the weekend that we’re really looking out for. With this new area of low-pressure [on Friday], it is still a couple of days to go and there is some variation, but it really is worth keeping an eye on the forecasts.”
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
