Great Barrier Reef: coral bleaching to worsen unless weather conditions change

Cyclone is temporarily cooling distressed corals but experts say parts of reef that previously escaped bleaching are at risk

The Great Barrier Reef is still at risk of a widespread outbreak of coral bleaching despite a cyclone to the far west helping to temporarily cool stressed corals, according to US and Australian science agencies.

Clearer skies, weak tides and above-average ocean temperatures are combining to create stressful conditions for corals along much of the world's largest reef system.