Fog rolling back into Auckland this afternoon. Photo / Niwa
Motorists are being warned to take “extra care” on the roads as fog rolls across Auckland tonight.
Fog has descended on the city again, blanketing the motorways during rush hour on Thursday.
“Please take extra care on the roads this afternoon with reduced visibility due to fog affecting much of North Auckland,” NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi warned on X.
“Remember to keep your lights on, allow extra time and mind your following distance.”
Some 17 domestic flights in and out of Auckland Airport have either been delayed or cancelled this evening, although remains unclear whether this is due to fog.
MetService meteorologist Matthew Ford told the Herald fog began rolling in over the city in the evening, with reports of increasing mist in Orewa about 5pm. Scattered fog was also seen during the day.
Auckland has faced multiple days of disruption due to fog, with about 28 domestic flights delayed and 43 domestic flights cancelled on Thursday morning due to the murk.
There could be more to come, MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said.
“The chances of widespread fog in the North Island similar to what we’ve seen this week are reduced over the weekend. However, some spots in the South Island could still see fog at times this weekend and possibly into next week.”
MetService has issued heavy rain watches for both islands on the last weekend of school holidays with a fast-moving low forecast to drag heavy rain across Northland, north Auckland, Coromandel and Tasman.
The worst of the weather was expected in parts of the upper North and South Islands from tomorrow night, with rain steadily worsening in the northern North Island as the day goes on.
“As [tomorrow] continues the rest of the North Island can also expect a little bit of that rain starting to drift down. And in the western South Island as well,” Makgabutlane said.
“But for the lower and eastern South Island, it looks like it should be continuing to remain fairly dry.”
A 12-hour MetService heavy rain watch for areas in Tasman west of Motueka begins at 7pm tomorrow.
The watch was for periods of heavy rain, with possible thunderstorms.
“Rainfall amounts may approach warning criteria, especially about the ranges. [And there’s a] moderate chance of upgrading to a warning.”
There was also a moderate chance a heavy rain watch for Northland and Auckland north of Whangaparāoa Peninsula would be escalated to a warning. The 12-hour watch begins at 9pm tomorrow.
A 13-hour heavy rain watch was also in place for Coromandel Peninsula from 8pm tomorrow, but this had low chance of being upgraded to a warning.
No watches or warnings have been issued for eastern Bay of Plenty and Gisborne/Tairāwhiti, but they could also expect wet weather tomorrow and Saturday, Makgabutlane said.
“It looks like, at some stage, most parts of the North Island can expect some wet weather.”
However, people in the north wouldn’t need to wrap up, with mild temperatures expected.
The 19-year-old disappeared without her wallet or mobile phone.