Road Closures & Track Conditions - 23rd June 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 strong high over New South Wales is moving slowly east and sending a dry, cool and windy southeasterly surge across the Territory. Winds across the Territory will ease over the weekend as the high weakens and a weak trough moves across the far south. Cooler temperatures are expected across southern and central districts from the weekend as another ridge builds into central Australia.

• ‘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: 23/06/22).

• 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 southern half of the State is directing dry easterly winds over the north of State. The ridge will weaken temporarily today before building again from Friday.

  • Fire Risk:

    • North Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • West Kimberley Coast: Low-Moderate

    • Kimberley Inland: Low-Moderate

  • Warm-Hot temps (Low 30s) expected.

  • Road Alert - Gibb River Rd - 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: 23/06/22).

• Pilbara:

  • A ridge of high pressure over the southern half of the State is directing dry easterly winds over the north of State. The ridge will weaken temporarily today before building again from Friday.

  • 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

  • Partly cloudy. Winds east to southeasterly throughout the week, temps top of 31c

  • Road Flooding - Nanutarra Munjina Rd both directions between Manuwarra Red Dog Hwy (Bingarn Rd) and Hamersley Rd - Road Open to High Clearance 4WDs and Trucks Only (Updated: 23/06/22).
    
    

• South West WA:

  • A weak cold front will brush past the south coast on Friday before a firm ridge of high pressure arrives on the weekend over the South West Land Division.

  • Fire Risk:

    • Geographe: Low-Moderate

    • Leeuwin: Low-Moderate

    • Nelson: Low-Moderate

  • Partly cloudy. Medium (40%) chance of showers in the south. 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: 23/06/22).

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 over the Flinders area is moving eastwards, although a ridge will continue over the north for the rest of the week. A cold front is expected to move over the south of the State on Friday, followed by another front early on Sunday. A high pressure system will then develop over the Bight during Sunday.

• Rain Closure openings: Large amounts of outback SA roads have recently closed after poor weather - some have reopened with heavy restrictions. (updated: 03/06/22).

• Birdsville inside Track Closed - Lengthy closure still in place, Mungeranie to Marree (updated: 23/06/22).

• 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 ridge of high pressure is slowly contracting away to the north, currently located over NSW. A cold front will move over western Bass Strait on this evening, crossing central and eastern waters throughout Friday, with winds then tending northwesterly on Saturday as another front approaches from the west. This front will cross Bass Strait on Sunday as a large high develops just south of the Bight.

• 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 northwesterly airstream prevails over Tasmania today, strengthening as a cold front approaches. The cold front crosses this evening with a fresh west to northwesterly airstream to follow. The west to northwesterly stream is expected to prevail over Tasmania during Friday and Saturday. A strong and gusty northwesterly airstream develops later on Saturday ahead of a significant cold front that crosses early Sunday, followed by a fresh and cold southwesterly airstream.

• 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 high is slowly moving east across New South Wales. A cold front is expected to pass through the south during Friday with another front passing through the south on Sunday. A stronger high will then move into southern New South Wales on Monday in the wake of this front.

• Flooding - Closures in the North West of the state. North of Broken Hill and West of Wanaaring. Some tracks have reopened. Never drive through floodwater (Updated 23/06/22).

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 strong high pressure system over New South Wales extends a ridge over most of the state. The high will move slowly east through the remainder of the week and into the weekend, with a firm ridge maintained across the state.

• 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 - 21th June, 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.