Well, it has been another mixed week of weather just gone, with varying wind directions and intensities, a mix of conditions in the ocean (everything from glassy to choppy), overcast skies, and very muggy and humid conditions to boot.
Now looking ahead to today and into the weekend, and it will be quite similar, with very unsettled weather today before the weekend turns on plenty of sunshine and great beach conditions.
The forecast for today is for overcast skies, showers, and possible thunderstorms, together with very gusty N/NW winds (around 20 knots with stronger gusts possible).
But in good news for beach goers, once today’s weather clears, we will see sunny days across the weekend with super-lights winds through the mornings.
Tomorrow morning will see W/SW winds at 5 to 10 knots before they swing from the E/Ne to N/NE through the afternoon and increase to 10 to 15 knots.
Sunday will be very similar although the W/SW winds will be even lighter in the morning at less than 5 knots before they also swing from the E/NE to N/NE during the day and increase to 10 to 15 knots through the afternoon.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have been a little mixed this past week, just like the weather, with some glassy conditions through the early part of the week before the ocean turned quite choppy and sloppy through the past two days.
Now, today is looking quite ordinary for swimmers as well, with strong N/NW winds (not to mention the gloomy skies) set to whip up very choppy and messy conditions across most beaches – although Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads will be not too bad.
But in good news, the weekend will produce some fantastic swimming conditions through the mornings – anytime from sun-up through until about midday, before choppy conditions again return through the afternoons as the onshore winds kick-in.
All beaches will have great swimming conditions on both Saturday and Sunday mornings, but through the afternoons, your better options will once again be Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads.
Just a word of warning but – there has also been algae in the water once again this past week, so just be aware and remember to rinse off under the shower after swimming.
Please check with the surf lifesavers or 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 – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Saturday – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water; 1pm to 5pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach
Sunday – 9am to 5pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach. Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Surfing: There has not been too much happening across local beaches this past week in terms of quality waves, with just a few clean, small waves about through the early part of this week.
Unfortunately, the forecast for the coming days is not great either! Today might be worth a look at Kelly’s Beach or even Elliott Heads with the gusty northerly winds if you are desperate to get wet, or if not, get up early tomorrow morning and hope for some glassy, fun, residual swell after the winds turn offshore overnight.
Outside of that, there will probably be not too much action. Good luck!
For the SUP and Ocean Ski/Kayak paddlers, today should give you some awesome downwind paddling conditions (paddling north to south of course!) to enjoy, but for those looking for calm and gentle ocean conditions, don’t despair, because you will be able to find these tomorrow morning and again Sunday morning if you hit the beach early.
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: Mornings best for a weekend beach trip
