File photo of fog in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Finn Blackwell
Flight restrictions are in place at Auckland Airport as fog blankets the city following a weekend of dramatic weather.
Thirty-seven flights have been delayed or cancelled due to the thick fog after restrictions were put in place at the airport just before 2am.
A spokesperson said 12 domestic regional flights had been cancelled and 24 others had been delayed.
One main trunk domestic flight to Dunedin had also been delayed due to the fog.
Auckland Airport said international flights have not been impacted.
MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said fog in Auckland could persist for a few hours.
It comes after severe thunderstorms at the weekend caused heavy rain and lightning over much of the country.
Aotearoa was struck by lightning almost 60,000 times.
Makgabutlane said a large weather system moved across New Zealand on Saturday and Sunday.
She told Morning Report most of the country would have noticed frequent lightning strikes.
MetService warned it was not over yet and the gnarly nor'wester would continue on Monday.
It issued an orange heavy rain warning for the headwaters of the Otago lakes and rivers; and an orange strong wind warning for the Canterbury High Country, the Canterbury coast and Plains south of Ashburton, and North Otago.
Makgabutlane said changeable weather is to be expected as the southern hemisphere moves into spring.
