Road Closures & Track Conditions - 20th May 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 ridge of high pressure lies across the Territory with drier air extending across the Top End until the weekend when a humid easterly flow returns. A cloud band across the southwest of the Territory will weaken at the end of the week.

• ‘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: 19/05/22).

• 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 trough lies over the southern Kimberley which moves northwards on Thursday.

  • Fire Risk:

    • North Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • West Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • Kimberley Inland: Low-Moderate

  • Hot temps (Low to Mid 30s) expected.

  • Road Alert- Event: The Gibb Challenge is on from the 15th May -19th May 2022. Gibb River Rd - Derby to El Questro - Slow Down - Exercise caution when approaching & passing cyclists & support vehicles. Visit https://thegibbchallenge.com.au/  (Updated: 12/05/22).

• Pilbara:

  • A trough lies over the southern Kimberley which moves northwards on Thursday.

  • Fire Risk:

    • East Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate

    • West Pilbara Coast: Low-Moderate

    • East Pilbara Inland: Low-Moderate

    • Ashburton Inland: Low-Moderate

    • Exmouth Gulf Coast: Low-Moderate

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

  • Marble Bar Road - 66 km south of Great Northern Highway (Port Hedland end) Marble Bar - Intersection construction. (Updated: 12/05/22).
    
    

• South West WA:

  • A slow moving trough is moving east over the Eucla , contracting in to the South Australia during Thursday. A weak ridge develops over central parts of the State on Thursday and Friday. A strong cold front will then cross the west coast of the State during Sunday.

  • Fire Risk:

    • Geographe: Low-Moderate

    • Leeuwin: Low-Moderate

    • Nelson: Low-Moderate

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

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

  • Muir Hwy btwn Manjimup and Rocky Gully - Upgrades. Lane closures under traffic lights EXPECT SIGNIFICANT DELAYS. (Updated: 12/05/22).

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 high pressure system centred south of the Bight will move slowly eastwards during the week to be centred over Tasmania on the weekend.

• Rain Closure openings: Large amounts of outback SA roads have recently closed after poor weather - some have reopened with heavy restrictions. (updated: 19/05/22).

• Birdsville inside Track Closed - Lengthy closure still in place, Mungeranie to Marree (updated: 19/05/22).

• 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 south of the Bight extends a ridge over New South Wales, maintaining more stable conditions over northern Victoria. A fresh westerly flow will gradually moderate across southern Victoria over the next couple of days. The strengthening high and associated ridge will move slowly eastwards across Tasmania and Victoria from tonight bringing settled conditions for the weekend.

• 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 fresh to locally strong and gusty southwesterly flow across Tasmania will slowly ease today, with an embedded and weakening cold front to clip the State during the day then a trough to linger near the north in the evening. A high will approach from the west today, with an area of high pressure to lie over Tasmania from Friday to Sunday bringing settled 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 high pressure system over the Great Australian Bight will gradually move east over the coming week, bringing mostly settled conditions. From today showers are expected to develop along the coast as the high reaches Tasmania and winds turn onshore.

• Flooding - Major closures in the North West of the state. North of Broken Hill and West of Wanaaring. Avoid the area, Never drive through floodwater (Updated 19/05/22).

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 slow moving high over the Great Australian Bight extends a ridge across most of the state. The high will move slowly east late in the week, enhancing onshore flow. An upper level trough will move across central and southern parts of the state later this week and combine with the high to draw moisture well inland and enhance showers. A trough is likely to form near the Capricornia and Central Coast later this week, enhancing coastal rainfall on Friday and Saturday.

• 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 - 11th May, 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.