Well, it has been a real mixed bag of weather conditions this past week, with sunshine, showers, cool winter temperatures, warm temperatures, heavy fogs, variable winds, but generally the ocean has remained quite calm and flat for the most part (aside from yesterday’s chop).
However, this will all change heading into the next few days, with a very consistent weather pattern developing following last night’s much cooler SW wind change, which will bring us sunny skies, cooler temperatures (back to single figure minimums) but beautiful winter days – just perfect for relaxing at the beach!
Today’s winds will be from the S/SW to W/SW at around 10 to 15 knots for most of the day, before tomorrow brings stronger SW winds at 15 to 20 knots pretty much throughout the day.
Sunday will then bring S/SW winds early at around 15 knots before they swing more from the S/SE to E/SE during the afternoon and ease back to around 10 knots.
Swimming conditions have been excellent for the most part this past week, with probably yesterday being the only glitch with those gusty and un-seasonal northerly winds causing choppy conditions on those beaches that face in a northerly direction.
But it is all good news from today and across the weekend – well, apart from those chilly winter morning temperatures anyway – with some cracking ocean conditions expected through until Sunday at least.
With mostly offshore winds forecast for the next three days, the ocean will remain calm and almost glassy until the early afternoon on Sunday when we could just start to see some slightly choppy conditions develop as the winds swing more onshore.
With this in mind, all beaches will provide great swimming conditions, particularly through the mornings but also again around high tide (mid to late afternoon), although by Sunday afternoon, perhaps beaches such as Agnes Water, Hervey Bay, Moore Park Beach and Nielson Park could be slightly better options I those winds swing more onshore.
Please check with the Lifeguard on duty, read any safety signage or messages, AND most importantly please swim only at patrolled beaches, only between the red and yellow flags, and only during patrol times – remember, if we can’t see you, we can’t save you!
Beach Patrols: Today and weekdays – Nil
Saturday and Sunday – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach & Agnes Water only
Surfing: Well, this past week – up until Wednesday anyway – has provided plenty of fun-sized and clean waves for local board-riders with last Sunday providing a real bonus for those that got up and checked the conditions.
But, as usually happens, the wave heights dropped quickly and were pretty much gone by yesterday, and the coming days are not likely to produce much for the board-riders either!
As per usual, keep an eye on conditions in the hope for a pleasant surprise, perhaps through the early mornings, but realistically I cannot see too much happening in terms of waves this weekend unfortunately.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski/Kayak paddlers, if you are keen for a gentle ocean paddle, there will be plenty of calm and gentle ocean conditions on offer from today and through until Sunday.
Events: The Elliott Heads Surf Life Saving Club will celebrate their Annual Dinner & Awards Presentation tomorrow night at Rowers on the River, whilst the Moore Park Surf Life Saving will hold its AGM and Annual Awards Presentation on Sunday at the Clubhouse.
Important note: Remember there are UPDATED COVID-19 restrictions, if you are at the beach, please maintain the social/physical distancing minimum guidelines and abide by the current group gathering guidelines as well.
Last week's beach report: Cold weather to remain across weekend
