Road Closures & Track Conditions - 3rd March 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 monsoon break period has developed over the Top End due to a weakening of the westerly wind flow. A trough across the northern Barkly District will slowly move south today as a trough over Western Australia moves into the Lasseter District. A new ridge will build over southern districts from Friday.

• ‘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: 03/03/22).

• Ex-Tropical Cyclone Tiffany has resulted in 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:

  • Ex-Tropical Cyclone Anika was located inland over the east Pilbara at 2am WST Thursday and moving south southeast. It crossed the coast last night near Wallal and will weaken further as it moves southeast through the Pilbara and Interior today and Friday. In remaining parts, a trough extends from the Pilbara in to central parts of the state.

  • 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 - Gibb River Rd from Meda to Great Northern Hwy intersection. Road closed. No Detour Available.  (Updated: 03/03/22).

• Pilbara:

  • Ex-Tropical Cyclone Anika was located inland over the east Pilbara at 2am WST Thursday and moving south southeast. It crossed the coast last night near Wallal and will weaken further as it moves southeast through the Pilbara and Interior today and Friday. In remaining parts, a trough extends from the Pilbara in to central parts of the state.

  • Fire Risk:

    • East Pilbara Coast: High

    • West Pilbara Coast: Severe

    • East Pilbara Inland: High

    • Ashburton Inland: High

    • Exmouth Gulf Coast: Severe

  • Mostly sunny throughout the week, temps into mid to low 40s.

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

• South West WA:

  • A trough extends from the northeast Gascoyne and into the South Interior. A new high pressure ridge will extend east south of the state behind the trough and remain there until at least the weekend.

  • Fire Risk:

    • Geographe: High

    • Leeuwin: Low-Moderate

    • Nelson: High

  • Mostly sunny throughout the rest of the week. Temps into the min 30s.

  • Quite extensive road works are being undertaken on the South Coast Highway over Jan and Feb.

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 is located in the southern Tasman Sea and extends a ridge over waters south of the State. A trough of low pressure over the far west of the State will extend eastwards to reach central districts tonight and eastern districts on Friday. A high pressure system will move south of the Bight over the weekend.

• Rain Closures: Large amounts of outback SA roads are closed due to poor weather. Some remain closed and other transit routes have restrictions  (updated: 03/03/22).

• Birdsville inside Track Closed - Lengthy closure still in place, Mungeranie to Marree (updated: 03/03/22).

• 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 trough extends down the east coast of Australia, while a high in the southern Tasman Sea extends a ridge over western and central Victoria. An approaching upper low and front will enter the State late Friday and move into eastern Victoria Saturday. This system will develop into a deepening trough which will lie to the east of Victoria over the weekend, while another ridge slides to the south.

• 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 moist east to northeasterly stream will persist over Tasmania through till Friday. A broad trough will slowly cross the state on Saturday, followed by a cold front on Saturday evening bringing a strong southerly change. A high will pass to the south of Tasmania on 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 low pressure system lies within a trough near the Mid North Coast. This low is expected to deepen, possibly becoming an East Coast Low tonight, and move towards central parts of the coast, bringing rain, strong winds and large and powerful surf. This system is expected to weaken later on Thursday, however a trough will linger near the coast for the coming days.

• FLOODING - Adverse weather conditions through Sydney, North East of NSW. There are major road closures due to heavy rains/floods.

• HAZARD Road damage: Tibooburra to Toona Gate - Toona Gate Rd - Exercise caution - The road is open with caution to 4 wheel drives only. - Traffic affected in both directions. (Updated: 03/03/22).

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 weak pressure gradient extends over much of the state. A weak trough extending from the northeast to the southern interior will move across the southeast Queensland during Thursday and Friday aided by an upper level system. The surface trough is forecast to weaken over the weekend, but likely to linger over eastern and southeastern Queensland maintaining unstable conditions.

• 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.

  • Vehicles are prohibited on the beach between South Ngkala Rocks and Sandy Cape Lighthouse between 6pm to 6am, from 15 Nov 21 to 31 Mar 2022.

  • Look and listen for aircraft landing and taking off along the eastern beach. Follow direction from the ground control crew.

  • Fraser Island report - 17th Feb, 2022.

• Flooding Alerts QLD:  A Flood Watch and multiple Flood Warnings are current across Queensland and priority warnings are in place for parts of Southeast Queensland.