Bretti Reserve Star Parties 2015

[glend (Glen)]

If there is any good news in the forecast its that the rain looks to be arriving a day early. What was forecast for Saturday seems to be hitting today - hopefully that means by Monday it may looking brighter for the rest of the week.

Allan_l you might have to drive along way to get out from under the cloud. I just did an extended forecast search on Accuweather, and found sunny days from Wednesday onward but you have to go to Nyngan to find it. Nyngan is a day's drive.

Uwahl may have a good point about next Anzac Day weekend. With the returnng sliver of moon setting at 10, 11pm and midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday the 24-26th there is still a good long period of dark skies if you can alter your sleep patterns to use it. But if there has been much rain out there, dew might be a big issue and the inevitable fog. I could go later in the week & Anzac weekend if it looks promising, but then as an imager now I can setup my system and go to bed, or sit with the hardy folk for a glass of some warming beverage. There is hope. Let's see what happens in the next couple of days.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

the following week is promising on 7Timer

geoff

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

Just looked at the weather for Gloucester next week and its showers or heavy rain every day until Fri. Have just about given up going next week unless a miracle occurs. Will re evaluate towards the end of next week and may go on Fri or Sat if clear.

Ulrich

[glend (Glen)]

Ulrich don't take that forecast too seriously at this point. Gloucester gets lumped in with the Mid-North Coast (Taree) forecast, so it will show the coastal forecast despite being inland a fair way. I take your point though, and the Bureau never seems to want to paint a rosy picture in any forecast. Let's see what next week brings.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

I'm in the wait and see camp, but I'm not getting my hopes up for next week

[glend (Glen)]

Mean while, I just came inside after four hours in the observatory under clear skies. It was cloudy and I went out to lock the garage and there was a black sky and stars! Must not let this chance slip by, so the imaging ran until just before 3 when the cloud started to come back. That will do me for awhile.

[glend (Glen)]

It looks like thd BOM may have got this forecast wrong, with the satellite photo showing no cloud to the west looming and the rest heading out to sea. There was some light rain in a solid band that passed ovrr the central coast lsst night but radar shows it out to sea with nothing behind it. Certainly showers can develop during the day but the big rain event may have been a fizzer. The BOM early forecast is still sticking to their old forecast. So all may not be lost for this week, fingers crossed.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Glen - my understanding is that a low is going to develop out to sea and bombard the coast with a rain event for about 3 days

geoff

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Wunderground is suggesting there's an increasing chance some clear sky time and decreasing chance of rain from Wednesday onwards. Like any art form, weather forecasting doesn't necessarily have any scientific value or grip on reality

[jakob]

I'm loading up now!
No tarp required.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

you got sides for your awning and strong tie down ropes jacob?


geoff

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by jakob

I'm loading up now!
No tarp required.

when are you heading up Jakob?
packing a scope?

[jakob]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

when are you heading up Jakob?
packing a scope?

Mid morning.
Yes !!!!!
Hope to see you.

[glend (Glen)]

Jakob I would suggest checking conditions with the Gloucester Visitors Centre before you leave. Their number is (02) 6558-1408.

Weather radar at Newcastle still shows activity over the Bretti area and the Bureau forecsst still predicts rain for Monday and Tuesday with improvement after that.

I'd just hate to see you have a bad time up there, but with your self-contained motorhomes both you and Allan_L are best equipped to wait it out, enjoy wet weather camping, and be the first to benefit when it clears. Drive safely.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by jakob

Mid morning.
Yes !!!!!
Hope to see you.

Jakob,
You can't trust the forecasters, I agree, however their grim warnings about 200mm of rain and gale force winds over the next 48 hours prompt me to err on the side of caution.

Why don't you drop in here on the way and we can discuss it over a coffee.
I would be happy to have you camp here for a day or so and we can then go on up together Tuesday arvo or Wednesday morning.

Open invitation.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

flood watch for central coast and manning valley including Gloucester

"minor to moderate flooding" expected

from channel 3, NBN weather - 1 hour ago

geoff

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

I will reassess on Tue. Going on Wed is the current plan.

Ulrich

[glend (Glen)]

Sadly I am starting to view this week as a wash out. Starting to think of the May New Moon (a long weekend one) in four weeks.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

i'm thinking if it clears a bit wednesday to allow me to pack and finish a little job, thursday might be the start of a few good days

geoff

[glend (Glen)]

Geez I hope no one went up there today. This storm is incredible. Did Jakob get to your place Allan_l? Hope he stayed home. And poor Skull picked up his rental campertrailer today.