marsden-1, page-21

Just for the record (again) I drove from Cairns to Mt Isa and return in Mid May 2011 (collecting some goods to take back to Cairns).
It was, as is usual for that time of the year, perfect dry season weather. Admittedly, I was going to and from the east of Mt Isa and on a sealed road but the latitude is the same. I cannot ever remember rain in May, in the Mt Isa to Tennant Creek area while I was there. Most rain in this area is in January to March, with some in April and some in December. 1st thunderstorm in Mt Isa (signalling the 'wet' is on the way) was usually around the 20th October each year but was followed by 'the buildup'. This is from personal experience, not from any textbook.

Possibly, the company was being over cautious with sending a rig out that way, or some over enthusiastic public servant erred on the side of caution when asked about the weather.
The last significant rainfall we had in the Mt Isa area in 2011, was months earlier when cyclone Yasi went overhead as a rain depression. It finally ran out of rain around ALice Springs.
I do remember that announcement though and I also remember the bit you did not mention - something about the NT Govt upgrading the road, to help/encourage the many companies exploring for various minerals in the area (not just oil and gas). For example, check out MAK and POZ if interested, among many others.


Anyway, for those in doubt, simply google the weather for that area. Bureau of meteorology and georgina river or basin will get you the history of rainfall. My comments are based on personal experience.

That's it from me tonight. 'The Block' is due to start soon and I don't want to miss that.