Road Closures & Track Conditions - 12/08/2022

Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-international-travellers

La Niña -

The Bureau of Meteorology announced the ending of a La Niña, (down to ‘WATCH’ status) on the 5th July 2022, which meant an easing of a wet winter period for eastern and northern regions. 

La Niña is a recurring event in our weather cycle, not to be confused with the warmer El Niño, that operates over periods of one to eight years. It manifests when strong equatorial trade winds change ocean currents, drawing cool water up to the surface in parts of the Pacific Ocean, resulting in a pile up of warm surface water east of Australia. This leads to a boost in convection that has a pronounced effect on the global climate.

Every La Niña event is different, but according to the BOM this time Australia is likely to see:

• More rainfall in Eastern, Central, and Northern Australia
• Decreased daytime temperatures south of the tropics
• More tropical cyclones
• Increased chance of widespread flooding
• Longer, less intense heat waves in south east of Australia
• Earlier First Rains across Northern Australia
• Less risk of fires in areas that receive more rainfall

Northern Territory

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/travel/quarantine

Regional Update -

• A cloud band with showers and rain across southern NT will clear from the west during Friday. A high near southern WA extends a ridge into southern NT. This high will move across central Australia during the weekend and will direct a cooler, drier southeasterly surge northwards that will reach the Top End by Sunday.
• ‘The Dry’ season runs from April to October, with La Niña conditions set to ease. The weather is looking slightly wetter than average over the next couple of months. 
• Gibbie Creek 4WD Track - Road Closed - Between Fish Hole yard wickham 4wd track and Gregory National park boundary. (Last updated: 28/07/22).
• Flooding has resulted due to significant rainfall in the last few weeks. Some tracks in Northern NT are closed or impassable.

Western Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-travel-wa

Regional Update -

• Kimberley:
• A ridge of high pressure over the central parts of the State will slowly move east during the next few days. A cloud band is expected to develop over the far western Pilbara on Saturday.
• Fire Risk:
• North Kimberley Coast: High
• West Kimberley Coast: High
• Kimberley Inland: High
• Warm-Hot temps (Low to Mid 30s) expected.
• Road Alert - Gibb River Rd - Great Northern Hwy - Seal 15 km in 5km sections between El Questro turnoff and Pentecost River.Stop/slow traffic management in place with speed restrictions. Delays of less than 5 minutes may be experienced. (Updated: 12/08/22).
• Pilbara: 
• A ridge of high pressure over the central parts of the State will slowly move east during the next few days. A cloud band is expected to develop over the far western Pilbara on Saturday.
• Fire Risk:
• East Pilbara Coast: High
• West Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate
• East Pilbara Inland: High
• Ashburton Inland: Low-Moderate
• Exmouth Gulf Coast: Low-Moderate
• Partly cloudy. Winds east to southeasterly throughout the week, temps top of 31c
• Road Upgrades - Great Northern Highway at Nanutarra - Munjina Road and Munjina-Royhill Road Intersections - Upgrades (Updated: 28/07/22).
  
  
• South West WA:
• A ridge of high pressure over central and southern parts of the State will slowly move east during the next couple of days. A moderate cold front is expected to cross the South West Land Division and southwest Gascoyne on Saturday.
• Fire Risk:
• Geographe: Low-Moderate
• Leeuwin: Low-Moderate
• Nelson: Low-Moderate
• Cloudy. Very High (near 100%) chance of showers in the south. Temps into the high teens.
• Quite extensive road works are being undertaken on the South Coast Highway.
• Flooding - Muir Hwy Muir Hwy at Geordinup Rd, Lake Muir - Flooding, Speed reduced to 60km/h. Water over road. Exercise extreme caution. (Updated: 12/08/22).

South Australia

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/restrictions-and-responsibilities/travel-restrictions

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves. More rainfall expected in the north/central areas of South Australia.

Regional Update -

• A slow-moving low pressure system centred east of Kangaroo Island will move slowly eastwards to be over the southeast of SA later today and then become centred east of Bass Strait over the weekend. A high pressure ridge will move over the west during the weekend then move slowly eastwards early next week.
• Rain Closure Closures: Strzelecki Track - Merty Merty to Mt Hopeless - Flooding. Road is open to all traffic from Moomba to Innamincka. Caution at soft and slippery sections. (updated: 12/08/22).
• Cordillo Downs Road- Open  - Innamincka to Arrabury turn off, Caution at soft and wet sections. Proceed with caution at the Innamincka causeway due to water over the causeway. (updated: 28/07/22)
• Birdsville inside Track Closed - Lengthy closure still in place, Mungeranie to Marree (updated: 12/08/22).
• Road Works: Road Sealing - Strzelecki Track (472km). The SA government has sealed the first 50-kilometres, Starting just north of Lyndhurst.

Victoria

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves.

Regional Update - 

• A low pressure system lies just southeast of South Australia, with a cold front currently moving through South Australia. The low moves closer to western Victoria this afternoon while maintaining an unstable northerly airstream over the State. The low centre will cross Victoria during Saturday, moving out to eastern Bass Strait by Saturday evening and is expected to deepen and remain just to the southeast the State during Sunday and Monday.
• Haunted Stream Track: Haunted Stream Track - Tambo Crossing is closed. DELWP are undertaking repairs. Reopening will be dependent on weather conditions.
• High Country: Seasonally Closed tracks are mostly closed with the majority of seasonal road closures for 2022 beginning on 16 June. Check the list of tracks open/closed.

Tasmania

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/travellers-and-visitors/coming-to-tasmania

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves.

Regional Update -

• A weak low pressure system is to the west of Tasmania today directing a northerly airstream over the state for the morning today. The low begins to decay as ta second larger low pressure system remains just to the west of Victoria and begins to move east today, with an associated trough to cross Tasmania later today. The low should lie to the northeast of Tasmania on Sunday allowing a moist southeasterly airstream to develop over the state, then the low is expected to remain over or near Tasmania on Monday.
• Drive With Caution Warning: Cradle Mountain Road and Belvoir Road – Reports of heavy snow in the area, motorists to consider necessity to travel, use extreme caution, reduce speed and drive to the conditions.

New South Wales/ ACT

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/border-restrictions

La Niña -

More rainfall during spring and summer, wetter soils and an increased chance of flash floods. Reduced bushfire risk with reduced extreme heat waves. More rainfall is expected in most of New South Wales.

Regional Update - 

• A cold front associated with a complex low pressure system south of the continent will bring unsettled weather today and on Saturday. By Saturday, the front will cross the far northeast of the state before heading offshore and a low is expected to form within the front between late Saturday and Sunday as the system heads to the east of Tasmania. A high pressure ridge will be established across the northern half of the state from Sunday as the low moves further south, with remnant showers continuing on and west of the Great Dividing Range into the early week.
• 4WD Only - Tibooburra to Toona Gate (QLD) - The road has reopened since recent  flooding. Road conditions for Unincorporated Area of the Western Region are available on 08 8082 6660 (Updated 12/08/22).
• HAZARD Landslide - Mellong to Milbrodale - Putty Road between Wallaby Swamp Trail and Milbrodale Road. Roadstabalisation in place. Use an alternative route. (Updated 04/08/22).

Queensland

Border Update -

For more information refer to: https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/border-restrictions

La Niña -

More tropical Cyclones than normal. Prepare earlier - Rain expected a month earlier, more than 70% chance of above-average rainfall and increased flood risk.

Regional Update -

• A high in the Tasman Sea and its associated ridge over east of the state is contracting offshore as a surface trough and upper trough system in southwest Queensland is moving east across southern and central Queensland, pushing offshore by Sunday. A weak high will linger over southern Australia early next week, extending a new ridge over most of the state. The high may combine with a low near Tasmania next week to push cool and dry air across much of the state.
• Bedourie: Coorabulka Road, Long term Flooding - from Bedourie to Boulia (to Boulia Council Boundary) - Both directions, Long delays expected. (Updated: 12/08/22)
• Cape York: Peninsula Developmental Road - Road Works - at Archer River Road.
• Fraser Island:
• Areas of concern - Most of the West coast is closed to beach driving.
• Look and listen for aircraft landing and taking off along the eastern beach. Follow direction from the ground control crew.
• Wongari (Dingo) warnings – Be dingo-safe!
• Fraser Island report - 2nd August, 2022.
• Hazard: Adverse driving conditions - Recent rain has resulted in major closures with Long-term flooding throughout central QLD. With roads closed in both directions. Do not drive in flood waters.