What do you want from weathergc?

It's been a while since I've made a post on this site - particularly after the terrible events of the January 2011 floods in Queensland.

Since then, after seeing the devastation and heartache of the floods, and being directly involved in the disaster coordination and recovery efforts in both the Somerset and Lockyer Valley regions - I never regained my motivations to continue to provide commentary on weather events around the Gold Coast and South East Queensland. 

 I would like to hear your comments on why you came to this site and what you would like to see? 

- Historical information or research? (e.g. weather facts for the Gold Coast like records for lowest temps, etc?),

- Find out what the weather is doing now? (e.g. looking for live data on weather observations, satellite images, radars, etc?) 

- A single point of reference? (using the Community Pulse or Links and Resources page to find other weather related information on other sites?)

- Review weather news summaries without having to find the articles on multiple different sites yourself?

Additionally, if you are also interested and passionate for weather and related events and live on or near the Gold Coast or even in South-East Queensland and would like to become a contributor to the site, I'd love to hear from you as well.

Thanks for your time.

Northern Gold Coast now in firing line - Gold Coast Bulletin
THE northern parts of the Gold Coast are now in the flood firing line, with more heavy dumps of rain expected over the next 24 hours.

Lower Beechmont residents stranded - Gold Coast Bulletin
RESIDENTS at Lower Beechmont are stranded after heavy rain overnight blocked all roads into the area. Beechmont Road has been closed since Friday because of a landslide but overnight rain has flooded a crossing at Sharpe's Bridge, near Canungra, cutting off all access to the area.

Rain wreaks havoc on Coast roads - Gold Coast Bulletin
BIG wet landslips and localised flooding played havoc with Gold Coast roads yesterday, with traffic woes across the region.

Gold Coast dodges storm bullet - Gold Coast Bulletin
THE Gold Coast appears to have dodged a bullet with a revised weather forecast predicting the devastating rain band that has tormented the south east to ease over the next few hours.
Coast spared the worst of the weather - Gold Coast City Council
The predicted overnight rains did not materialise, sparing the Gold Coast from the worst of the wet weather.

Coast fairs well in big wet

The Gold Coast has missed most of the anticipated 200-400mm of rain over the last 48 hours, with the heaviest falls staying north and west of Brisbane.

There were some large falls up to 130mm in the hinterland areas of Clagiraba and Springbrook on Sunday, and Springbrook again today with approx 70mm, however most of the coast stayed relatively dry with only 20-60mm received in the last 2 days.

There are still road closures across the city at the moment, including Guanaba Creek Road, Guanaba, and Birds Road, Maudsland, Hardys Road, Mudgeeraba and Clagiraba Road, Clagiraba.

Whilst some news stories are predicting another 300mm of rain in the next 48 hours, in my opinion it doesn't seem likely we'll receive any real rain tomorrow with just frequent light-moderate showers easing on Wednesday for the rest of the week.

However, there is still a Severe Weather Warning in effect for potential heavy falls and thunderstorms causing localised flash flooding overnight.

Rainfall forecasts for Tuesday show a potential falls of between 50-100mm.

Bullseye over Gold Coast says Bureau - Gold Coast Bulletin
UP to 300mm of rain is set to be dumped on the Gold Coast over the next two days, say weather experts...The worst of the weather that has inundated much of Queensland has missed the Coast so far, but now flash flooding and strong winds can be expected, with the Hinterland and Coolangatta expected to be worst hit...Marine meteorologist Dr Roger Badham, of Marine Weather Services, said the Coast was in line to cop a mini-version of the weather system that hit central Queensland.

Wild weather leads to road closures - Gold Coast Bulletin
GOLD Coast roads are struggling to cope with the wet weather, with traffic disrupted by landslips and localised flooding.

Bureau says 300mm coming Coast's way - Gold Coast Bulletin
THE Gold Coast's big wet is about to get worse -- 300mm worse -- starting tonight. Emergency services are gearing up for a tough couple of days, with heavy rain -- the Bureau predicts up to 300mm over the next two days -- and flashflooding on the way.

Severe weather warnings issued - News.com.au
SEVERE weather warnings have been put in place for parts of northern and southeast Queensland.

Flash flood threat for Queensland - News.com.au
RAIN threatens flash flooding and is hampering clean-up attempts in the southeast of Queensland.

Severe Weather: Up to 400mm over 4 days

Latest rainfall forecasts could see up to 300-400mm falling on the Gold Coast over the next four days, with heavier falls developing from Sunday, sticking around Monday and easing on Tuesday.

The Bureau's Rainfall Forecast Maps for Sunday has downgraded falls to between 100-150mm for the majority of the coast, within only the exposed mid-coast forecast to receive the 150-200mm.

However, the majority of the rain will now fall on Monday saturating the entire south-east corner, with areas north of Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast possibly in for 200-300mm. Our region could get anywhere from 100-200mm on Monday.

The latest Severe Weather Warning for heavy falls causing localised flash flooding has been extended to include eastern parts of the eastern Darling Downs and Granite Belt districts along with Southeast Coast & Wide Bay districts.

At 10am EST, an upper level low was located offshore of the Capricorn coast. A surface trough was located offshore of the southern Queensland coast. Both of these systems are expected to move closer to the coast today.

Rain areas and thunderstorms are expected to increase further through the Southeast Coast district and southern parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett district today. The heavy rain areas are expected to move into the eastern parts of the Darling Downs and Granite Belt District overnight. Some heavy falls are likely which may lead to localised flash flooding and/or worsen existing river flooding.

This is also on top of a Coastal Wind Warning for strong winds between Point Danger and Noosa including Moreton Bay :

A trough lies offshore of southern Queensland waters and will move closer to the coast during the day. A high lies near New Zealand while another high is moving east over the Great Australian Bight.

SE/NE winds 25/30 knots at times. Seas rising to 2.5 to 3 metres in open waters with a 2 to 3 metre E/SE swell. Winds are expected to ease below 26 knots north of Point Lookout during Monday morning.

As at 11am this morning, the Gold Coast remains one of the few areas within the south-east corner that has escaped any minor-major flooding (other than localised flash flooding). However, whether that remains true over the next 2 days will certainly be tested.

Gold Coast Mayor Ron Clarke sent a message just prior to Christmas " If it's flooded, forget it!"

“Gold Coast is one of Queensland’s hot spots for motorists rescued from flash floods,” according to Cr Clarke.

“Driving through flooded roads, especially on causeways, can be fatal,” he said.
Hidden dangers include:

• being washed from a causeway – it takes just 30 centimetres of slow flowing water to wash away any type of car, even a four wheel drive

• pot holes and submerged debris which can snag your car in rising water

• stalling in rising water

• collapsed causeways and roads washed away without warning.

If you get stuck or see someone else in difficulty in a flash flood, phone the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service on 000 immediately.

Floods: severe weather warning - News.com.au
STATE braces for more flash flooding as foolish drivers frustrate police and mines try to clean up.

Don’t floor it through floods - News.com.au
POLICE in Queensland are becoming increasingly frustrated at people trying to drive through floodwaters.

Floods keep tourists away from Gold Coast - ABC Online
A tourism executive says reports about Queensland's flood disaster are keeping interstate visitors away from the Gold Coast.

Rain set to continue on Coast - Gold Coast Bulletin
IT has been another wet day for the Gold Coast and the weekend forecast is not looking much better.

Heavy rain for Sunday

Up to 150-200mm of rain could fall on the Gold Coast on Sunday.

The Bureau's Rainfall Forecast Maps as at Friday night predict the Gold Coast along with surrounding areas of the Hinterland and Logan to get the heaviest rain, with falls of 100-150mm for Brisbane and Ipswich.

This will be followed on Monday and Tuesday with more rain of approx 50-100mm on both days.

The current forecasted total rain in our corner of Queensland is set to receive the most over the next 4 days, with a possible total of 300-400mm.




The Bureau still has a Severe Weather Warning current for heavy falls causing localised flash flooding for people in the Southeast Coast & Wide Bay districts.

The State Emergency Service advises that people in the affected area should:
� avoid driving, walking or riding through flood waters
� take care on the roads, especially in heavy downpours
� avoid swimming in swollen rivers and creeks

Contact the SES on 132 500 for emergency assistance if required.