Well, here we are already into Spring and certainly feels like it too! After last week’s brief run of cold weather, we have seen a return of mild temperatures this week and these will continue across the coming days as well, with a temperature range of between 15 and 25 degrees expected.
Yesterday did bring us a blast of gusty SE winds though, and we do expect these gusty winds to remain with us through today before they start to ease slightly through tomorrow and then drop back to be only light on Sunday, which is great news for the weekend beach goers!
Today’s winds will be from the E/SE at 15 to 20 knots all day and there could even be stronger gusts as well.
Tomorrow will then bring E/SE to E winds at around 10 to 15 knots, before Sunday brings even lighter and more variable winds at around 10 knots from the E/SE to the N/NE.
There is also the very slight chance of a shower or two through today and tomorrow as well, so just keep an eye on the sky if planning a trip to the beach.
Swimming: Up until Wednesday this week, we were greeted with super light winds and the swimming conditions were absolutely fantastic as well!
But yesterday’s gusty wind change brought with it choppy and messy ocean conditions – particularly on the open and exposed beaches – along with an increase in wave heights as well.
Over the coming days we can expect the swimming conditions to be quite mixed but in good news for swimmers, they will improve day by day.
Today will be very similar to yesterday with choppy and messy conditions again expected, with lots of water movement due to the increased in wave heights, so swimmers will need to be very cautious.
Across the weekend, the conditions will improve gradually each day, but if the wave heights hang around, which they should until at least tomorrow, swimmers will still need to be very careful.
Sunday is certainly looking like being the best day for swimmers, whilst the best swimming conditions will be found in the early mornings while the tide is high and the winds slightly lighter.
For today and tomorrow, head to beaches that provide some protection from the strong winds – Agnes Water, Hervey Bay, Moore Park Beach and Nielson Park – but by Sunday, beaches such as Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach should be better options.
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: With a very lean start to the week in terms of surf conditions, we saw quite a dramatic increase in wave heights through yesterday, which brought a smile to the face of local board-riders, although the wave quality was a little messy and choppy.
Surf conditions are expected to stay quite good and even improve for today, before the wave heights start to slowly decrease across the weekend (but the wave period does increase later in the weekend, so fingers crossed).
Beaches such as Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach will no doubt be the better options for today and again tomorrow, with the early mornings and late afternoons being the better times. But don’t discount Sunday either! Good Luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski/kayak paddlers, there could well be some reasonable downwind (south to north) paddling conditions today with the gusty E/SE winds about, but if not, there should be plenty of waves about to catch anyway!
If you are looking for a relaxing and casual float though, you will be best to look for protected locations and waterways through today and tomorrow, or wait until the ocean settles down on Sunday.
Events: Happy Father’s Day for Sunday to all the dads!
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.
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