Berina

i was just wondering what the weather forecast is like for the port douglas area? i just tried googling and it shows storm warnings in cairnes and rain for the next four days.

i will be in port douglas in about a week for five days and am hoping to get to do some snorkeling and other activities. will it still be raining? wondering if anyone local has any more news on that?

thank you, Berina

Bokhara2

Given that Port Douglas is only about an hour (60 km) north of Cairns, you'd expect the forecasts to be very similar.

http://www.eldersweather.com.au/qld/...d/port-douglas

Berina

yeah, that's what i was afraid of also, but was hoping that maybe it was going to be better in another week or so

thanks bokhara for bringing the bad news.

pat_woolford

Berina - I live near Cairns, this morning after incredibly heavy rain (friend in next suburb had 300mm in 24 hrs) the Capt Cook Hwy was cut by floods between Cairns, its northern beaches, and Port Douglas. I believe its open now, with caution.
Kuranda train is also out with trees over line.

However, forecast is saying rain will start abating after today - hopefully all will be well for you.

Bokhara2

If I could predict, let alone influence the weather a week out, I'd be touring the World in my private jet with Nubian slaves fanning my brow.

Garcia

pat_woolford

That's why I said "hopefully", Bokhara!

According to local ABC radio, Port Douglas copped a whopping 450mm of rain over last 24 hours, with no major damage to buildings.

But March is wet season, just not usually quite this wet. A Port Douglas resident just remarked on radio its the heaviest he's seen in 37 years.

pat_woolford

PS - here's a link with photos - check the Barron Falls near Kuranda.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/200...ocal-news.html

Saltuarius

Here are some north Queensladn links for you to check on the weather. My wife only just got through the floods to work this morning so when the rain eased and the rivers dropped a bit after lunch she came home. We have a friends' child with us after school as the mother is having trouble getting home but we expect that she will make it the long way round.

a private site with great links
http://www.gorgecreekorchards.com.au/
Weather bureau (BOM)
http://www.bom.gov.au/cgi-bin/wrap_fwo.pl?IDQ10050.txt

the weather radar to see where it is raining now http://mirror.bom.gov.au/products/IDR192.loop.shtml

Saltuarius

Just heard from my friend. she thinks she is only 10 minutes away after travelling for two and a half hours to make what would normally be a 75 minute trip. I hear her car on the drive!

Bokhara2

Great links, Salutarius - many thanks.
Hope you're on high ground

Berina

oh man, oh man, oh man, that is just my luck!! the worst storm in 37 years!! my boss was joking around the other day how when i go up it will raining, i won't be able to do anything...... i guess he jinxed me

i hope it gets better in a week..

bokhara, i was laughing so hard when i read your post about you influencing the weather a week out and touring the world in a private jet.. i like that

so, pat, i know you're in the tourism business, since i am supposed to be staying at a hotel up in port douglas, if the weather doesn't get better, what happens? do they cancel my hotel if i can't get there or how do they usually handle it? i will be staying at Archipelago Apts. any insight?

Bokhara2

You'll be fine, Berina. They'll be able to drop you in by chopper, parachute or maybe send you up to PD on the cane toad jetski from Cairns . Just think of the adventure tales when you get home.

pat_woolford

Bokhara - that could work well!

Berina - if you look at the radar rain link provided by Saltuarius, you'll see that the major band of heavy rain has passed well north of PD. Still follow up falls, but hopefully worst is over. Reef trips are scheduled to resume tomorrow, Kuranda train is still out. Skyrail is operating and providing fantastic views of Barron Falls in full flow.

I do remember a time when Port Douglas was cut off by a major rockslide due to cyclone on Cpt Cook Highway, Quicksilver came to the rescue and ferried everyone back to Cairns by sea on one of its large catamarans. But I have no idea of Archipelago's cancellation policy due to bad weather, guess it depends on how bad it is.

Saltuarius

Bokhara2,

Thanks for your concern. We are on high ground. The creek below the house is now a creek again after being a lake for the last few days. Even a little weak sunshine today.

The rain will be good for the aquifers which have been greatly depleted through over use.

Berina

bokhara, you never seize to make me laugh.... i'm sitting in an office, so i might be looking weird to my secretary as i just start laughing here by myself

pat, yes, i did look at the radar and it looked like most of the storm had passed but a small patch that was still around. glad to hear that snorkeling tours are back on. GBR was going to be the highlight of my trip and i would have been very disappointed if i missed that.

thanks again. now all i have to do is get through the 30 hours of flying, starting tonight

Berina

Bokhara2

Where are you coming from Berina?
That's a bit of a hike, even to a long-leg hardened Australian!

I hope the weather does clear up for you, but even if it's a bit damp, you'll love it up there.

And, I'm glad I was able to give you a laugh. "Keep laughing - makes 'em wonder what you're up to"