Road Closures & Track Conditions - 15th April, 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 Nina -

The Bureau of Meteorology announced the beginning of a La Niña on the 24th November 2021, which most likely means a wet summer 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 humid easterly flow has led to the return of showers and thunderstorms across the Top End. Hot in the south as the winds tend northeasterly ahead of a slow-moving trough to the southwest of the NT. This trough moves into the Lasseter District later today, though it brings little respite in the way of cooler temperatures.

• ‘The Dry’ season has concluded, with La Niña conditions expected. The weather is looking 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: 14/04/22).

• 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 weak trough extends from the Kimberley to the Pilbara.

  • Fire Risk:

    • North Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • West Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • Kimberley Inland: Low-Moderate

  • Hot temps (High 30s) expected.

  • Road Alert: Flooding alert - Mt Barnett to Pentecost River - Flooding - Road closed. No Detour Available.  (Updated: 14/04/22).

• Pilbara:

  • A weak trough extends from the Kimberley to the Pilbara.

  • Fire Risk:

    • East Pilbara Coast: High

    • West Pilbara Coast: High

    • East Pilbara Inland: High

    • Ashburton Inland: Low-Moderate

    • Exmouth Gulf Coast: High

  • Mostly sunny throughout the week, temps into high 30s.

  • Road Alert: Flooding alert - Ripon Hills Rd between Marble Bar turnoff and Telfer turnoff, Marble Bar - Flooding - Road closed.

• South West WA:

  • A trough over the Interior contracts eastwards today. A ridge of high pressure is developing southwest of the State and becomes established over remaining southern parts of the State today. A trough develops off the west coast on Friday and moves inland on Saturday ahead of a weak cold front which brushes the southwest coast.

  • Fire Risk:

    • Geographe: Low-Moderate

    • Leeuwin: Low-Moderate

    • Nelson: Low-Moderate

  • Mostly sunny throughout the rest of the week. Temps into the high 20s.

  • Quite extensive road works are being undertaken on the South Coast Highway.

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 low pressure trough near the western border and a low pressure system over the Bight, will move slowly eastwards and weaken later in the week. A high pressure system will develop south of the Bight late Friday then move southeastwards on Saturday, ahead of a front moving over the south of the State later Sunday.

• Rain Closure openings: Large amounts of outback SA roads have reopened after poor weather. Cooper Creek Ferry Crossing Road remains closed and other transit routes have restrictions  (updated: 14/04/22).

• Birdsville inside Track Closed - Lengthy closure still in place, Mungeranie to Marree (updated: 14/04/22).

• Road Works: Road Sealing - Strzelecki Track (472km). The SA government will seal 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 high pressure system moves over the Tasman Sea and will there remain until Friday. A weak cold front crossing Tasmania will brush southern Victoria on Friday evening, rapidly followed by a new high which will remain in the Tasman Sea over the weekend. A trough and cold front will enter the west of the State late on Sunday.

• 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 have reopened, 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 high to the northeast of Tasmania will extend into the Tasman Sea today, directing a northwesterly flow over the state. The stream will freshen on Friday ahead of a cold front to cross during the afternoon and evening, bearing a cooler southwesterly flow. A high to quickly move over the state early Saturday will bring light winds before tending northwesterly for the remainder of the weekend as the high moves away to the southeast. A cold front is expected to near the west coast late on Easter Sunday.

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 high pressure system over the Tasman Sea is bringing coastal showers with an onshore southeasterly airstream over the coming days. Showers will contract north later in the week and across the weekend as the high pulls away and another high moves across the Bight and into the Tasman Sea across the weekend.

• Land Slip - Highway closed in both directions. - LIllawarra Highway between Jamberoo Mountain Road and Yellow Rock Road. Avoid the area. (Updated 14/04/22).

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 near the NSW south coast is slowly moving into the Tasman Sea while extending a ridge over most of the state. Winds will turn more onshore along the east coast as the ridge strengthens and it will be maintained by a new high moving into the Tasman Sea on Saturday. An upper trough will move across southeast Queensland tonight and tomorrow, slightly enhancing rainfall. A weak tropical low may develop in the eastern Arafura Sea or the Gulf of Carpentaria over the weekend.

• 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.

  • Fraser Island report - 13th April, 2022.

• Hazard: Adverse driving conditions - Peninsula Developmental Road: The Peninsula Developmental Road is subject to a 5 Tonne GVM limit from Laura to Coen due to water over road.