Well, just when we thought that maybe winter had departed early, we got a subtle reminder from about Tuesday night onwards that it has just not quite left us just yet!
We have had some chilly nights and chilly early mornings for the past few days with minimum temperatures dipping back down to single figures, but thankfully the days have remained very nice and quite mild.
Looking ahead to the weekend and after another chilly start this morning, we are going to see temperatures warm up quite quickly across the weekend, with maximum temperatures reaching back in to the mid 20s, which is great news for beach goers, along with wind forecast once again being for only light winds across the next two to three days.
There is the chance of a few showers by Sunday though, so keep an eye on the sky when planning your beach trip.
This morning’s winds will be from the S/SW at around 10 knots before they become variable (turning S/SE and then E/NE) during the day at around the same intensity.
Tomorrow will then bring S/SE to E/NE winds at 5 to 10 knots, before Sunday delivers E/NE to N/NE winds at 5 to 10 knots.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have been fantastic once again this week and the past few days in particular, despite the cooler temperatures, have provided glassy and flat conditions to enjoy.
Looking ahead to today and the weekend, and based on the forecast light winds, it does appear that we should continue to see mostly good swimming conditions as well.
Whilst the glassy seas will likely only be present through the very early mornings today and tomorrow, the light winds will ensure that the ocean will really only see a slight chop develop once the winds turn onshore.
All beaches will once again provide good swimming conditions over the coming days and in particular through the early mornings, but I would suggest that perhaps Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach will be the better options through the afternoons today and tomorrow, and then throughout the day on Sunday.
The best swimming conditions will be found either in the very early mornings, or again when the tide is higher from late morning through until around early to mid-afternoon.
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: It has been a mixed week in terms of surf conditions across our local beaches this week, with some more small, clean, fun waves hanging around into Monday and Tuesday, before the SW wind change flattened things quite quickly.
Having said that though, there have still be some very small but clean lines rolling through that have tempted the mal riders to sneak out still over the past few days. We should see a continuation of this small.
Clean groundswell across the next 2 to 3 days as well, but the question will be whether it is big enough to get wet for! I would suggest maybe for the mal riders only!
Check out the usual locations through the early mornings, or again from mid-morning onwards. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski/kayak paddlers, the ocean will provide plenty of reasonable conditions for paddlers through today and into the weekend, with the winds unlikely to mess the ocean up too much.
It is doubtful though that the downwind paddlers will get much joy with the winds not forecast to get over about 10 to 12 knots this weekend.
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: Sensational winter beach weather on the way
