Feeling their way
Conditions expected to persist today
FLIGHTS and motorists may be disrupted again this morning as low cloud continues to linger off the coast.
Three departing flights from Dunedin Airport were cancelled yesterday and no planes were able to land for most of the morning as low cloud shrouded the city, reducing visibility and creating treacherous conditions for motorists.
MetService meteorologist Peter Little said while yesterday’s sunshine burnt off the cloud during the daylight hours, it remained off the coast and presented a threat of further disruptions today.
‘‘It is the same air mass we have seen offshore,’’ he said yesterday.
‘‘The thing that has improved things today is the bright sunshine.
‘‘But as that heat diminishes, I expect that cloud will come back on shore again.
‘‘There’s a risk there could be some disruptions to flights.’’
Air New Zealand senior external communications consultant Kelly Kilgour said three inbound and three outbound Dunedin flights were cancelled yesterday.
Affected customers were accommodated on other services, she said.
Dunedin Airport marketing and communications general manager Megan Crawford said the first flight left Dunedin about 11.30am yesterday with another following shortly after.
‘‘There have been a few delays,’’ she said.
‘‘There’s a knockon effect. They will be playing catchup a bit.’’
Police reported few issues with motorists despite the trying conditions.
No crashes or issues were reported in the Southern district yesterday morning as a result of the fog.
The cloud disrupted services elsewhere in New Zealand, with flights cancelled in Invercargill, Wellington, Palmerston North and New Plymouth.
Flights were grounded for about 24 hours in Wellington, leaving thousands spending an unscheduled night in the capital after sea fog rolled in on Wednesday morning.
Yesterday’s low cloud also caused issues for sports in Otago.
The Plunket Shield cricket match between Northern Districts and Otago was delayed for half an hour to wait for the fog to clear.
The national lefthanded golf championships was delayed for three hours until noon as the fog hung around the Chisholm Links course.