A thick blanket of fog has caused disruption across Brisbane and South East Queensland, affecting flights at Brisbane Airport and creating hazardous conditions for drivers during the morning commute.
The dense fog reduced visibility across parts of the city, prompting warnings from weather authorities for motorists to take extra care on roads. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a road weather alert, advising that reduced visibility could make driving conditions dangerous, particularly during the early morning hours.
The weather conditions also caused delays and diversions at Brisbane Airport, with several arriving flights unable to land safely due to the low visibility. At least five inbound flights were diverted, including international and domestic services. Four aircraft were redirected to the Gold Coast Airport, while another flight was sent to Sydney.
Among the affected services were flights operated by major airlines including Qantas, Virgin Australia and Jetstar. International flights arriving from locations such as Los Angeles, Singapore and Manila were among those impacted, with some aircraft placed into holding patterns before being redirected.
Brisbane Airport confirmed that departing flights were able to continue operating, but arriving flights experienced delays due to the challenging weather conditions. Passengers were advised to check flight information with their airlines before travelling.
Meteorologists said the fog developed due to a combination of weather factors, including recent rainfall, clear skies overnight and light winds. These conditions allowed moisture near the ground to form a dense layer of fog, reducing visibility in some areas to only a few metres.
The fog event affected several areas around Brisbane, including parts of the metropolitan region and surrounding suburbs. Early morning commuters experienced slower travel conditions as drivers adjusted their speed and increased following distances.
Authorities reminded motorists that fog can create dangerous situations by reducing reaction times and making it harder to see other vehicles, pedestrians and road hazards. Drivers were encouraged to use headlights appropriately, avoid unnecessary lane changes and allow additional travel time.
Weather-related transport disruptions are not uncommon during winter in Queensland, but the intensity of this fog event created significant challenges for aviation operators and commuters. Airport teams worked to manage delays and restore normal operations as visibility improved later in the morning.
The disruption highlights how rapidly changing weather conditions can affect major transport networks. While fog itself does not usually cause long-term problems, periods of very low visibility can create safety risks for both air and road travel.
Passengers affected by delays were encouraged to remain patient while airlines worked to adjust schedules and move aircraft safely. Authorities thanked travellers and motorists for following safety advice during the difficult conditions.
As conditions improved, flight operations gradually returned to normal, but travellers were reminded that weather-related delays can continue to affect schedules throughout the day.
