Sunday, March 2, 2008

Weekly Report Daintree Coast 3/3/08 - 9/3/08

Once again no significant rain to report on the Daintree Coast. It has been humid, overcast, and generally wet seasonish, with showers etc, but there has been no real rain. It seems as if the Central and Southern Coast of Qld is getting all the rain this year. There have been isolated incidents of heavy rain, but the Bloomfield Track is in the best condition I have seen it in March due to the lack of significant rain.

There is enough water around for the frogs though, and each night we get a variety of frog calls serenading us to sleep.

This week again has the chance of rain, with my local knowledge suggesting Tuesday or Wednesday could see heavy rain; it often comes 3 days after a southeast change…

Not a good week for the reef unless the winds moderate, which looks unlikely. While the weather looks bad, it’s worth remembering that March is the wettest month of the year, and there is nothing unusual about the forecasts below.

NORTH TROPICAL COAST AND TABLELANDS DISTRICTA flood warning is current for coastal streams south of Cairns, including theTully and Murray Rivers.Showers, rain periods and thunderstorms with some moderate to heavy falls.Moderate to fresh SE winds, strong about the coast.Outlook for Tuesday ... Showers and rain areas, coast and adjacent rangeswith moderate to heavy falls. Showers elsewhere. SE winds, strong about thecoast.Outlook for Wednesday ... Showers and rain areas, coast and adjacent rangeswith moderate to heavy falls. Showers elsewhere. SE winds, strong about thecoast.

North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:
A gale warning is current.
Monday until midnight: S/SE winds 25/30 knots, though lighter inshore early. Winds increasing to 30/40 knots offshore during the day, and possibly extending to inshore waters in the evening. Seas 3 metres outside the reef, increasing to 3.5 metres during the day. Seas 2 to 2.5 metres inside the reef. Scattered showers, rain areas and isolated thunderstorms.
Tuesday: SE/NE winds easing to 25/30 knots during the morning. Seas decreasing to 3 metres outside the reef, and 2 metres inside the reef. Rain and isolated thunderstorms.
Wednesday: SE winds 25/30 knots.

The road to Cape Tribulation is open, but if any of the forecast heavy rain evens materialize, there may be localized flooding. I recommend caution when crossing patches of floodwater, even in 4WDs. It is very easy for an inexperienced driver to misjudge this water and be washed away. Drivers should also be aware of fallen branches and trees on the road after wind.

The Bloomfield Track is currently open, but is also prone to localized flooding after rain events. Those attempting the track should only do so in heavy duty 4WDs, and be prepared for very deep, washed out and rocky river crossings. It is also a good idea to seek local advice on the day. Yesterday, Mason’s Tours went through, and encountered a flash flood upon their return to Emmagen Creek. It was necessary to ford about 1m of water to return. Today we cancelled the tour, as more rain has fallen, and the rivers are likely to be too deep. Those attempting the track this week should plan to avoid high morning tides at the Bloomfield Causeway.
Tides are very high morning and low afternoon all week, with the daytime tides tending to neaps later in the week.