Wild Weather at Sea.

During the last two days, the North shore of Brisbane has experienced high tides, wind and rain as the tail end of a recent hurricane blew in.

The local council are out and about looking at damage caused by the flooding. Playgrounds are water logged, car parks flodded and drains are blocked - there is more rain on the way. It could however, be a lot worse....we only got the tail end.

Brisbane locals comment on how rare this is, which is reasuring if you're considering Brisbane as a migration destination.

As a migrant I watch the weather reports with interest and with horror. There are extreme weather conditions here and the tropical north of Queensland experiences plenty.

What's the Weather Really Like?

Well, given that this week has broken many Australian records, it's hard to say.

In Brisbane we're experiencing high levels of humidity - hot and sticky, warm rain and dramatic light shows as the thunder rolls in. However, I think we're lucky at the moment.

Victoria and South Australia are having a terrible time, you may have seen the forest fires on the news.

I've been flooded with emails asking whether the fires and flooding are really that bad - and unfortunately yes, in many parts of Australia, bush fires or flooding do happen and this year there are alot of casualties.

This is the time or the year, when it is dry, as it is down South, the bush catches a light. Typically fire breakers are set up and local fire brigades issue warnings and do back-burning activities- that is to say, they light and burn under growth in forest areas to clear paths to prevent blazes getting out of control.

Sadly, however, as in some of the cases this week, someone else has lit a fire, either with intention to cause damage or by accident (camp fires, cigarettes etc) and there you go, unbelievable destruction.

This year has been particularly bad and parts of the Simpson dessert are closed for the safety of the public.

In far north Queensland, at the other end of the country, we've been having the flooding with townships under water. From drought to flooding - it is mad! Again at this time of the year, rain and cyclones are common and storm warnings and advice are issued, yet once again there is little that people can do when the rain just keeps on pouring.

Queensland Forcasts Storms

Though it is probably not quite as bad as media in search for sensational content describe it, there has been an unusual number of storms hitting South-East Queensland with exceptional force in November and December.


The Premier Ms Bligh has assured that defence force personnel can be called in to help if the storms persisted.

The weather bureau is forecasting more gusty showers and thunderstorms across south-east Queensland.


The storm season in Queensland starts in November and can persist up to March, though the risk usually slows down after December.

This summer is predicted to be especially warm, wet and stormy.


Residents usually take precautions by:

• being aware of weather alerts,



• trimming trees,



• securing loose items,



• preparing an emergency kit and



• covering any debris from previous storms.

Queensland Storm Season Rolling In

It's time to prepare for what could be the wildest summer storm season on record.

The advice given:

• Check drains and gutters & un-block
• Have a torch & candles ready in case of power cuts
• Don't leave loose objects outdoors (they could fly)
• Trim trees and remove dead branches, tidy the garden

Low pressure systems, strong cyclonic activity = a fierce storm season.

Brisbane's summer could be wet and cooler than usual- well above average rainfall and whilst the average maximum temperatures are expected to remain below 30 degrees the humidity levels are expected to rise.

Official predictions for the summer cyclone season are yet to be revealed.

Useful Resources:
The Bureau of Meteorology

Has Anybody Seen Any Rain?

I’m not joking! Until recently, the state water supply was at an all time low due to an ongoing drought.

Typically the summer months (January-March) bring heavy rain and this replenishes the dams. The dams are currently the only source to supply the city and suburbs with fresh water and the last two years have been dry summers ~ there really hasn’t been any rain.

Currently at a government, council, business and individual level there is an urgent need to ensure we don’t run out of drinking water.

The official plans are two fold:
1. Build more dams so that when it does rain, more water is caught.
2. Recycle and purify existing waste water….the debate as to whether to do the later is fierce. In spite of purifying water techniques being common practice worldwide, locally the idea meets much opposition.

On a very individual basis we have a ‘level 6’ water restriction. That is to say, there is a ration of 140 liters of water per person per day.

“Please explain” letters are sent out with water bills if a family exceeds the limit ~ fines are getting tougher.

The 140 liters of water ration comes with suggestions of how to save water using water saving devices; fixed to taps, toilets etc to basic household vigilance and thought out economics.

Rain water tanks are becoming common place in residential gardens -Linked up to the roof down pipe they catch any winter rain that may come and this is used to help to keep the gardens alive.

In spite of what sounds like drastic measures it is still very possible to bath, wash and clean without exceeding the limits.

Needless to say, native Australian garden plants are very hardy and drought resistant as you’d expect.

Useful Resources:
Queensland Water Commission: http://www.qwc.qld.gov.au/