Fog at the Auckland waterfront this morning. Photo / Twitter
A blanket of fog caused flights to be cancelled and chaos on the motorways for Auckland this morning.
Fog restrictions at Auckland Airport were lifted at 11.15am, by which time 38 domestic flights were delayed and 28 cancelled. The restrictions had been in place since 6.41am.
One flight from Blenheim to Auckland had to be diverted to Rotorua.
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• Fog-related crashes cause headaches for Auckland commuters
International flights were not affected.
Fog also caused problems on the roads for morning commuters.
There has been a multi-vehicle crash on the Southwestern Motorway near the Dominion Rd on-ramp, blocking the right southbound lane. Motorists were asked to pass with extra care and expect delays amid the heavy fog.
Meanwhile on the other side of the same stretch of motorway a crash between Neilson St and Queenstown Rd is blocking the right lane.
On the Northwestern Motorway SH16 a breakdown is blocking the left lane prior to the Royal Rd overbridge, causing delays through Westgate.
MetService meteorologist David Miller said a brief shower at the airport had cleared the fog, but there was a chance it could return again before clearing late morning.
There were reports of heavy fog on the Harbour Bridge earlier today.
Much of the rest of the city was experiencing fog this morning also, which would likely hang around until late morning.
Wellington and Christchurch airports were also affected by fog, Miller said.
A "stubborn front" was hovering over the South Island at present, bringing fog and low cloud to most places.
The fog was likely to stick around for much of the day in the capital and further south.
After the fog cleared Auckland was in for a day of fine spells with the odd shower and a high of 16C.
Eastern and southern parts of the North Island were being affected by a slow-moving low pressure system today, bringing rain to the east and south of the North Island, and even some showers across to Taranaki.
The upper North Island would be mostly fine, with just some scattered showers, mostly about Northland.
The South Island would mostly be affected by low cloud today, ahead of a front arriving tonight, bringing rain to Fiordland.
On Friday the weak front would move up the South Island, bringing rain to western areas. Meanwhile in the North Island rain would start to ease.
On Saturday the front would make its way on to the North Island, bringing rain and showers alongside southwesterly winds to western areas, with better conditions in the east.
In the South Island showers and southwesterlies would continue for most places, with a similar story across the country Sunday.
"It is looking like an unsettled weekend of showers and southwesterlies for most places," Miller said.
Cloudy periods, a few showers possible. Light winds. 17C high, 10C overnight.
Low cloud or fog breaking to fine spells late morning. Chance shower from afternoon. Southwest breezes. 16C high, 10C overnight.
Rain clearing early, then low cloud or fog breaking late morning to fine spells and chance shower. Light winds. 16C high, 6C overnight.
Cloudy periods and a few showers, chance heavy. Light winds. 18C high, 10C overnight.
New Plymouth Cloudy periods, rain at times. Southeasterlies. 17C high, 10C overnight.
Napier Periods of rain, possibly heavy. Easterlies. 17C high, 13C overnight.
Whanganui Occasional rain. Southeasterlies. 17C high, 11C overnight.
Wellington Occasional rain or drizzle. Southerlies. 14C high, 12C overnight.
Nelson Mostly cloudy, a few spots of rain. Light winds. 17C high, 11C overnight.
Christchurch Low cloud, but afternoon fine spells. Northeast breezes. 13C high, 8C overnight.
Dunedin Low cloud, but afternoon fine spells. Northeasterly. 14C high, 8C overnight.
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