Monday, September 3, 2007

Weekly report for 02/09/07 –09/09/07

Rainfall – The weekend has been average weather, with some rain periods and fairly strong winds all week. Currently it is sunny but windy. The showers are forecast to continue, and while winds will moderate on Tuesday, they freshen again on Wednesday.

NO RAIN = NO RAINFOREST!

NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICT
Isolated showers about the coast. Morning showers southern Tablelands. Fine inland. Moderate southeast winds.
Outlook for Tuesday ... Isolated showers about the coast becoming scattered overnight with patchy rain areas.
Outlook for Wednesday ... Scattered showers about the coast and ranges,isolated inland. Patchy rain areas. Fresh southeast winds.
North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:
Monday until midnight: SE winds 15/20 knots. Seas to 1.7 metres outside the reef, 1.2 metres inside the reef. Isolated showers.
Tuesday: SE winds 10/15 knots reaching 15/20 knots over far northern waters. Seas 1.3 to 1.7 metres outside the reef, 1 to 1.2 metres inside the reef. Isolated showers.
Wednesday: SE winds 15/20 knots, freshening to 20/25 knots.
Thursday: SE winds 20/25 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. The work here is nearly finished and will mean that Thompson Creek rarely floods, even in heavy rain.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 and there have been some accidents attributed to high speed on wet roads. 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.

Please slow down around road crews. Last week a rented 4WD rolled after passing road crews at high speed. The road workers were less that impressed and called Police using one of out vehicle’s Satellite phones. Roadworkers usually wet the road surface to reduce dust and this can make it slippery, that’s one of the reasons speed limits are reduced where they are.

Tides – Early in the week the tides are lowish all day with highs late in the afternoon. The tides tend toward highs in the early morning/late evening from Thursday.

The area is a bit quieter at present but tours and accommodation still needs to be pre – booked to avoid disappointment. There are virtually no queues at the Ferry during peak times.

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