Well, it has been a very mild week just gone in terms of temperatures, with even a little bit of showery rain thrown in as well.
Looking ahead to the coming days and we can expect very similar conditions as well with a continuation of the mild temperatures, with mostly sunny days and just the very slight chance of a shower.
The winds are also looking to be quite favourable this weekend and they should only be light to moderate in strength.
Today we can expect light E/SE winds this morning at around 5 to 10 knots only before they increase slightly this afternoon to just over 10 knots.
Tomorrow will then bring S/SE winds early at around 10 knots that will then swing more from the E/SE through the day and increase to 10 to 15 knots by the afternoon.
Sunday will then be slightly breezier with 10 to 15 knots of S/SE to E/SE winds forecast.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have been OK this past week, without being great, with the increase in wave heights providing plenty of water movement along with a messy ocean at times.
Looking ahead to the coming days and we can expect the swimming conditions to be quite similar as well, with more water movement expected due to the little bit of swell about at present, plus a bit of a confused ocean due to the wind and swell directions being different as well.
If you are swimming, please be cautious over the coming days, due to the currents and the amount of water moving about.
For the best swimming conditions, hit the beaches very early in the morning while the winds are at their lightest, or again from late morning to early afternoon while the tide is high.
Beaches such as Agnes Water, Hervey Bay and to a lesser degree, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach, will possibly provide better swimming conditions as well.
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 and Agnes Water only
Surfing: Finally, after what has seemed like an eternity, we have seen a return of some waves to our local beaches during this past week, with plenty of fun-sized waves about to enjoy since about Tuesday this week, with both yesterday and Wednesday providing plenty of fun for wave-starved locals.
The big question though, is will the waves hang around through the weekend? I am going to say probably, but the wave heights are likely to slowly decrease over the coming days.
This morning should provide plenty more waves, before we start to see a marked decrease in wave heights through Saturday and Sunday.
Beaches such as Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach will likely provide the better options, with any time from the early mornings right through to around early afternoon worth consideration. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski/kayak paddlers, the ocean is going to be a little confused and sloppy over the coming days, although there should be plenty of waves about to enjoy for those that are that way inclined.
If not, the protected creeks and rivers will likely be the best options for more relaxed paddling, whilst those looking for a downwinder may get some okay conditions, but the swell direction may not necessarily line up with the wind direction, which is not ideal.
Events: Nil.
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: Cool overnight temperatures followed by sunny days
