Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Weekly report for 27/08/07 –02/09/07

Rainfall – The weekend has been average weather, with some rain periods. Currently it is overcast with showers.

This would seem to be forecast to continue for some days…as does the strong southeast winds.

The nightwalks have seen a bit more wildlife lately…the increase in temperature and humidity has improved sightings of reptiles and amphibians. The rainforest always looks better in the rain, and land based activities are largely unaffected by wind and rain.

NO RAIN = NO RAINFOREST!

NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICT
Isolated showers, scattered at first and again later this evening about the coast. Mild with cloudy periods and moderate to fresh southeast winds.
Outlook for Wednesday ... Isolated showers, scattered at times about the coast and ranges. Fresh southeast winds.
Outlook for Thursday ... Isolated showers, scattered at times about the coast and ranges. Fresh southeast winds.

North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:
Tuesday until midnight: SE winds 20/25 knots. Lighter S/SE winds inshore early. Seas to 2.2 metres outside the reef and to 1.4 metres inside the reef. Isolated showers.
Wednesday: SE winds 20/25 knots, increasing to 25/30 knots in the evening. Lighter S/SE winds inshore early. Seas 2.2 metres outside the reef, rising to 3 metres in the evening. Seas 1.3 metres inside the reef, rising to 1.6 metres in the evening. Scattered showers.
Thursday: SE winds 25/30 knots.
Friday: SE winds 20/30 knots.

NOTE THAT THIS WEATHER APPLIES TO ALL AREAS AROUND CAIRNS NOT JUST US!!!

Roads – the road to Cape Trib is open with no flooding, there are minor delays at Thompson Creek just north of Coconut Beach due to roadworks. There is single lane section there with a give way sign for northbound traffic. Drivers need to be aware of cassowaries with many crossing the road at present, some males with chicks as well as increased snake activity on the road at night. Please don’t run snakes over they are just as biologically important as Cassowaries!

The Bloomfield Track is open to 4WDs only and has been half graded. Graded sections are very slippery after rain. (The Cowie flats were like a skating rink Monday Afternoon). Cowie Range north side has boggy patches between the concrete sections which are challenging after rain, however the road crew has nearly reached this section. Drivers need to drive to the conditions to avoid accidents. We recommend the use of low gear (low range if available on steep descents) The creek crossings are less than knee deep. Trailers should not be taken on the road at present.

Tides – Early in the week the tides are high in the morning and low in the afternoon, with afternoons ideal for beach walks. The tides tend toward highs in the late morning /early afternoon on Saturday and Sunday.

The area is very busy at present and tours and accommodation needs to be pre – booked to avoid disappointment. There are small queues at the Ferry during peak times however the wait is rarely more than one ferry trip.

Lawrence Mason

Manager
Mason's Tours Cape Tribulation
CMA 4
Cape Tribulation
Qld 4873
Phone 40980070 Int 61 7 40980070
Fax 40980026 Int 61 7 40980026
Mobile/Cell 0427012772

www.masonstours.com.au

Sunday, August 19, 2007

Weekly report for 20/08/07 – 27/08/07

Rainfall – The weekend has been average weather, with some rain periods. Currently it is overcast with sunny patches. The forecast is for this to continue with a fine day Tuesday and an increase in showers by Wednesday as the trough moves onshore again.

There is a coastal wind warning current: It will be updated at http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/qld/ and you will need to check to see what happens….it looks as if winds will moderate later in the week, so this would seem to be the best time to visit the reef.

The nightwalks have seen a bit more wildlife lately…the increase in temperature and humidity has improved sightings of reptiles and amphibians. The rainforest always looks better in the rain, and land based activities are largely unaffected by wind and rain.

NO RAIN = NO RAINFOREST!

Coastal Waters Wind Warning
For Lockhart River to Cairns
Issued at 5:00 am EST on Monday 20 August 2007

Synoptic Situation
A firm ridge lies through central Queensland and along the east tropical coast. A weak trough over the central northern Coral Sea is expected to deepen slightly and move west during today.

Strong Wind Warning

Lockhart River to Cairns
Expect S/SE winds 25/30 knots. Seas rising 2.5 to 3 metres outside the reef, and to 1.8 metres inside the reef.

The next warning will be issued by 11 am AEST.

Please be aware - Wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here, and maximum waves may be up to twice the height.

NOTE THAT THIS WEATHER APPLIES TO ALL AREAS AROUND CAIRNS NOT JUST US!!!

IDQ1005005
NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICT
Scattered coastal showers and isolated inland showers, clearing during the morning to a fine afternoon throughout. Mild with cloud generally decreasing and moderate southeast winds, fresh at times about the coast.
Outlook for Tuesday ... Fine throughout.
Outlook for Wednesday ... Isolated showers developing during the afternoon and
evening.

North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:
A strong wind warning is current for waters north of Cairns.
Monday until midnight: S/SE winds 25/30 knots north of Cairns, 20/25 knots south of Cairns. Seas 2.2 to 2.6 metres outside the reef and to 1.6 metres inside the reef. Light rain periods.
Tuesday: SE winds 20/25 knots south of Cairns. SE winds 25/30 knots north of Cairns, easing during the day to 20/25 knots. Seas 2.2 to 2.6 metres outside the reef and to 1.6 metres inside the reef. Light rain easing.
Wednesday: SE winds 20/25 knots, easing to 15/20 knots during the day.
Thursday: SE winds 15/20 knots, increasing to 20/25 knots during the afternoon.

Roads – the road to Cape Trib is open with no flooding, there are minor delays at Thompson Creek just north of Coconut Beach due to roadworks. There is single lane section there with a give way sign for northbound traffic. Drivers need to be aware of cassowaries with many crossing the road at present, some males with chicks.

The Bloomfield Track is open to 4WDs only and has been half graded. Graded sections are very slippery after rain. Cowie Range north side has boogy patches between the concrete sections which are challenging. Drivers need to drive to the conditions to avoid accidents. We recommend the use of low gear (low range if available on steep descents) The creek crossings are less than knee deep and Emmagen Creek is very loose and requires 4WD. Trailers should not be taken on the road at present.

Tides – Early in the week the tides are neap with very little movement at all, except a moderate high early evening. Later in the week there are moderate highs in the morning and lows early afternoon, perfect for beach walks. From Thursday the evening tides are quite high

The area is very busy at present and tours and accommodation needs to be pre – booked to avoid disappointment. There are small queues at the Ferry during peak times however the wait is rarely more than one ferry trip.

Cheers

Lawrence Mason

Manager, Mason's Tours Cape Tribulation

CMA 4,Cape Tribulation, Qld 4873
Phone 40980070 Int 61 7 40980070
Fax 40980026 Int 61 7 40980026
Mobile/Cell 0427012772
www.masonstours.com.au

Sunday, August 5, 2007

Weather, tides, road conditions 30/7 to 5/8/

Rainfall
The weekend has been great weather, but unfortunately on Sunday the wind picked up just as forecast. It is currently, fine, cool and blowing 25knots! The forecast is for this to continue with some decrease to wind after Tuesday and increased likelihood of showers later in the week

NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICT
Fine and sunny day. Moderate to fresh SE winds.
Outlook for Tuesday ... Fine morning with isolated coastal showers developing later. Isolated morning frosts possible on the Tablelands.
Outlook for Wednesday ... Isolated coastal showers, mostly fine inland.

Unfortunately there is a Wind Warning

Coastal Waters Wind Warning For Torres Strait to Cairns.Issued at 10:55 am EST on Monday 6 August 2007

Synoptic Situation
A large high over South Australia is moving steadily eastwards and will reach the northern Tasman Sea early Wednesday.

Strong Wind Warning Torres Strait to Cairns
Expect SE winds at 25/30 knots. These winds are expected to continue until late Tuesday. Seas will reach 3 metres outside the reef on an increasing SE swell. Seas will reach 1.7 metres inside the reef.

Please be aware wind gusts can be a further 40 percent stronger than the averages given here, and maximum waves may be up to twice the height.

Roads
The road to Cape Trib is open with no flooding, there are minor delays at Thompson Creek just north of Coconut Beach due to roadworks. There is single lane section there with a give way sign for northbound traffic. Drivers need to be aware of cassowaries with many crossing the road at present, some males with chicks.

The Bloomfield Track is open to 4WDs only and has been half graded. Graded sections can be very slippery after rain. The creek crossings are less than knee deep and Emmagen Creek is very loose and requires 4WD. The dust is bad in places and we recommend the use of lights. Drivers need to drive to the conditions with one accident already this week, probably due to traveling too fast on a recently graded road.

Tides
Until Saturday the tides are low around midday, and high early morning and evening. On Saturday and Sunday the tides are low early afternoon and high in the morning and later evening

Traffic

The area is very busy at present and tours and accommodation needs to be pre – booked to avoid disappointment. There are small queues at the Ferry during peak times

Cheers

Lawrence Mason, Manager, Mason's Tours Cape Tribulation
CMA 4, Cape Tribulation, Qld 4873
Phone 40980070 Int 61 7 40980070 Fax 40980026 Int 61 7 40980026
Mobile/Cell 0427012772
http://www.masonstours.com.au