The fog wasn’t restricted to Auckland – many parts of the North Island were also having a “misty, murky start” to the day, with moist air, cold temperatures and only light winds creating the perfect conditions for a foggy start.
“As we head through the daytime, the temperatures will rise, the winds will pick up, and it will start to mix, and we’ll start to see that fog lift up into low cloud.”
The latest forecast showed the fog beginning to break up and clear from 8am to 9am, he said.
Flight delays and cancellations
Restrictions due to the fog were put in place around 4.36am.
As of 6.40am, Air New Zealand’s website showed early flights to and from Whangārei, Kerikeri, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Gisborne, Nelson, New Plymouth and Blenheim had been delayed, some by as much as 90 minutes.
Cancellations were also affecting Rotorua, Palmerston North, New Plymouth and Napier/Hastings and Blenheim flights.
Travellers are advised to check with their airline and the airport’s website for the latest flight updates.
Commuters are also navigating the fog this morning, with visibility down to 100m on the Northwestern Motorway, according to one driver.
NZTA’s traffic camera on the Bader Drive overbridge in Māngere showed fog on State Highway 20 around 5.30am.