A thick blanket of fog over metropolitan Melbourne this morning that disrupted flights in and out of the airport has lifted.
Extensive fog and low clouds were causing delays to flights arriving and leaving from Melbourne airport this morning, with Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin and Tiger all experiencing cancellations, delaying passengers for up to two hours.
A Qantas spokeswoman told The Age the fog had disrupted some flights due to poor visibility, with incoming flights forced to land at a slower rate.
“Weather conditions in Melbourne resulting in low visibility have been affecting all airlines operating into the airport,” she said.
Virgin also experienced delays, cancelling a handful of flights to and from Sydney.
Vicroads urged drivers this morning to use their fog lights to increase visibility on their commute through the fog, describing as “thick as pea soup”.
It's as thick as pea soup out there this morning. Turn your low beam headlights on and slow down. Limited visibility across Melbourne needs extra caution. If you've got Fog Lights, now is the time to use them. #VICTRAFFIC
— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) May 13, 2018
The fog formed between midnight and 3am through the Yarra Valley and into the eastern suburbs.
But whilst Melbourne Airport observations before 8am showed patches of fog and visibility down to 50 meters, Melbournians in the south-west areas of the city have woken to clear skies.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Stewart said the eastern suburbs had seen thick fog, but it would vary hour to hour in particular regions.
Flights have now resumed.
