Airport chaos as pea-souper fog shrouds Adelaide

Multiple flights experienced landing issues as thick fog enveloped Adelaide, totally obscuring the city’s skyline, on Saturday morning. Residual delays remain despite the fog clearing.

Thick fog envelopes Adelaide's CBD on Saturday.

Multiple flights experienced issues landing at Adelaide Airport after a real pea souper shrouded parts of Adelaide on Saturday morning.

A flight from Brisbane was diverted to Mildura and another from Melbourne was sent back.

And a plane set to land at Adelaide coming from Darwin was experiencing issues with runway visibility about 9.25am.

A spokesman for Adelaide Airport said the fog started to clear about 10am but the poor visibility that impacted arrivals “will impact subsequent departures”.

“Customers should check with their airline for the latest flight updates.”

Brisbane flight to Adelaide diverted to Mildura due to fog at Adelaide Airport Picture: Flightradar24

Brisbane flight to Adelaide diverted to Mildura due to fog at Adelaide Airport Picture: Flightradar24

Brisbane flight to Adelaide diverted to Mildura due to fog at Adelaide Airport Picture: Flightradar24

Fog around Pulteney Street in the CBD. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe

Departures were not affected.

Passenger on the flight from Darwin that was delayed due to the fog, Rebecca Lines, was returning home with her two-year-old son, Cody.

“We had to circle around for a bit (before landing),” Ms Lines, 30, said.

“It was annoying for a toddler.”

But a family stopping in Adelaide on their way home, couple Chevelle and Joe with his mum Heather, were not disturbed.

“They kept us informed and we’re from New Zealand so it happens all the time,” Chevelle, 28, said.

Motorists coming into the city also reported poor visibility on the roads, making driving a hazard.

“Everything was clear coming up Anzac Highway but as you reached the Parklands the fog was really thick,” one driver told The Advertiser.

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The city skyline on Saturday morning, taken from a Waymouth St rooftop.

“Driving along West Tce it was as if the city buildings weren’t even there. You just couldn’t see them.”

Another commuter said: “Driving along Greenhill Rd towards the CBD, the area surrounding Burnside Village was shrouded in dense fog.’’

“Visibility was very poor. Luckily drivers slowed down, as a number of cyclists were almost impossible to see and there were definitely a few hairy moments.’’

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Mark Anolak said the fog was caused by clouds “lowering to ground level”.

The cloud descended upon the eastern suburbs about 8am.

The fog came following “moist north-westerly flow” into the hills with cloud build-up.

And this fog is different to usual conditions Mr Anolak said.

“Usually when we have clear skies, the moisture at the surface condenses and you have fog in the valleys.

“But here we’re seeing cloud lowering.”

Conditions will change throughout the morning however, as Mr Anolak expects the clouds to start to lift about 10.30am.

“Hopefully we’ll see a sunny afternoon.” The maximum is expected to reach 17C in Adelaide.

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