Big Rain Forecast for Outback
Submitted: Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 13:11
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Member - Kingsley N (SA)
Gidday Fellas,
We are just about to set off from
Adelaide for
Birdsville and The Simpson. The BOM has just announced a very interesting rain event that is developing in association with that big front coming through SA on Monday.
Weather Notes
The forecaster on ABC radio said that it is the most interesting situation seen for a long time in relation to rain. Cumulative falls up to 30mm could occur right through SA including the northern parts. Outback NSW should benefit also.
We will be packing gumboots and extra rations in case we get stuck somewhere. I hope those heading for the
Innamincka gathering come prepared!
Kingo
Reply By: Member - Wayne N (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 14:37
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 14:37
Image Could Not Be FoundSure looks like rain coming.
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313617
Follow Up By: Willem - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:21
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:21
Yeah but it isn't always rain. I often look at the radar which shows heavy concentration of cloud over our town and then there is no precipitation. 'Tis in the lap of the rain gods.
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Follow Up By: Been-Everywhereman - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:28
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:28
Wayne,, where is that Wenlock crossing,,,, as in which road??
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Follow Up By: Member - Wayne N (QLD) - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 18:57
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 18:57
Been-Everywhereman,
It is on the track up to the cape, but a couple of years ago they put a bridge / culvert crossing in.
It had been a late finishing wet season and only a few days earlier, they where still towing people thru with
water lapping on their windscreens.
All used to be a part of the fun of getting to the cape.
regards
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Reply By: Willem - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 14:41
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 14:41
Looks like the rain front is mainly concentrated from
Coober Pedy to
Port Lincoln and then moving east slowly.
We should hopefully be out of it at
Innamincka....hopefully...lol
Cheers
AnswerID:
313620
Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:33
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:33
Have a look at the bottom right hand picture - forecast as at 10 pm Monday July 7. Widespread rain across SA, Norther Vic, and western NSW.
Image Could Not Be Found
Cheers.
Glen
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Willem - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:58
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:58
Yerrrr but it is only a forecast...doesn't mean it is definitely going to rain!!!
Cheers
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579710
Follow Up By: Dave B (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 18:12
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 18:12
I reckon if we got all the rain that was forecast out here, you would be in the middle of a rainforest.
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Follow Up By: Saharaman (aka Geepeem) - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 18:13
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 18:13
Yes Willem thats true it is only a forecast, but if you also look at the BOM Prognostic charts by Monday this area is dark green with a HIGH chance (probabliity) for rain. i.e. its more likely to rain than not rain
Cheers,
Glen
FollowupID:
579713
Reply By: Gossy - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:09
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:09
I just got back from crossing the Simpson. We got rained in and only just got out (1 day overdue).
The desert and the road out of
birdsville heading to big red was closed. The
birdsville track was a nightmare with cars doing about 100kms in 6hrs. this was the 2nd week of June. I doubt if the graders have been thru yet!
many people we came across had their holiday ruined because they had gone all that way only to find the roads closed so make sure you ring up first! Innaminka was also bad with bogged cars, motorbike riders stranded alone for days (separated from their group) etc etc.
My suggestion would be that if they get anymore rain to alter your plans. Sorry for the bad news but I come from
Adelaide also so I did the same roads coming home that you would do going up. It was not pretty!
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Follow Up By: Willem - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:18
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:18
Gossy
Roads have been graded since then
All roads to
Innamincka are open and in good repair according to reliable informant except Old
Strzelecki Track which still has a bit of ponded
water.
But if the rains come again it could get messy. Holidays can only be ruined if you don't plan properly.
I did the BVT in the rain in 2005. All the floodways were running but we got through OK. Took weeks to get the mud off the GQ.
I have done 7 Simspon treks but have never struck rain. Still, if I should ever get caught in the wet out there I wouldn't try driving across the salt lakes. I would go around them.
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Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:26
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:26
"packing ....... extra rations in case we get stuck somewhere"
Very wise Kingo. Far too many fail to allow a few days extra in their itinerary or additional
food & water for being stranded due to rain. For the locals lets hope they get a good soaking but for the tourists
well........... be a good scout & be prepared :-)
Have a great trip.
Cheers Craig............
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Reply By: Gossy - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:28
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:28
If it rains again you will definately need to drive around at least some of them because we did. Problem is this will add time onto your trip. In our case we had plenty of extra food and
water so not too concerned. It was like a ghost town in
the desert. Didn't see a car for days as it was all closed.
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Reply By: Member - Vince B (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:31
Thursday, Jul 03, 2008 at 17:31
Hi Kingo.
I have been watching the weather channel for the past few days & they certainly predict rain next week.
It looks like we will revert to plan B on our way to
Birdsville.
Cheers Vince
AnswerID:
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Reply By: Member - Royce- Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 00:23
Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 00:23
Now all the governments have got together to try to 'save the Murray'.... that rain will probably come and flood it.
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Follow Up By: MP - Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 06:33
Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 06:33
Somehow I think 40 days and 40 nights may not even save the Murray now. Previous governments have been hoping for rain for the last 10 years so they wouldn't actually have to worry about it and the same thing is happening now - all talk no action.
MP
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Reply By: lancie49 - Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 07:58
Reply By: Wizard1 - Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 09:20
Friday, Jul 04, 2008 at 09:20
Typical, the only time we get time off in winter to travel the road from
Bourke to
Wilcannia via
Tilpa and the
Birdsville track and we get more rain than we have in the last 5 yrs.
They've onl yjust re-opened or lifted restrcitions on some of these roads after the last lot of rain.
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