Fog disrupts Auckland flights as South Island braces for downpours and gales
Fog has once again disrupted flights at Auckland Airport with several regional domestic flights affected.
Five domestic regional flights have been delayed this morning, with fog restrictions in place overnight. They were lifted just before 9am.
The airport says the fog has not caused any delays or cancellations for domestic flights to the main centres, or international flights.
It comes just one day after fog restrictions caused a morning of widespread travel disruption with more than 50 domestic flights either cancelled or delayed.
Five domestic flights to and from Queenstown, three flights to and from Wellington and three flights to and from Christchurch were also delayed due to the fog.
Foggy morning conditions are set to continue for parts of the country as a wet and wild weather change moves across the South Island later today.
MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo told the Herald another foggy morning was expected for many places across New Zealand.
He said the Auckland region, Northland region, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa and most places in the valleys of the South Island would be affected.
“Fog happens when you have stable conditions. So that means you have a high-pressure system dominating the region,” Mhlongo said.
MetService meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo told the Herald another foggy morning was expected for many places across New Zealand. Photo / Michael Craig
Drastic change on the way
Mhlongo said the front approaching the South Island is expected to make landfall towards midday, bringing wind and rain.
“For some places, the weather will be changing drastically,” Mhlongo said in comparison to yesterday’s weather.
MetService said a front, preceded by a strong and moist northwest flow, was forecast to move onto southern New Zealand before it moved northwards over the remainder of the South Island on Monday.
At this stage, places like Fiordland and Westland are expected to get most of the rain.
A heavy rain watch for the ranges of Westland has been issued from 2pm until 7am tomorrow.
Fiordland north of Doubtful Sound is under the same watch from 11am until 10pm.
A strong wind watch is in place for Canterbury High Country and Plains near the foothills from noon.
“Places like Canterbury High Country, there’s a chance of strong northwesterlies gusting to about 90km/h.”
Mhlongo said the southwestern parts of the North Island could see scattered showers tomorrow, but it wouldn’t be to the extent of the South Island.
After a chilly week, he said temperatures were set to start warming up.
“Places like Wellington, we’re expecting 18C tomorrow, which is relatively warm for this time of the year.”
Mhlongo said Hawke’s Bay, Napier and Hastings could even reach around 21C.
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