Well, it has certainly been a mostly wet and overcast week just gone, and unfortunately, the forecast is for more of the same over the coming days – with today looking to be particularly wet!
Showers and possible rain periods are forecast for today, along with thunderstorms as well, before showers are also forecast for both Saturday and Sunday too.
We have also seen those humidity levels rise as well, and these sticky and muggy conditions are likely to remain for a few more days yet, with quite high minimum temperatures expected!
Today’s winds will be quite moderate and from the North at around 15 knots for most of the day, with the chance of slightly stronger gusts through this afternoon.
Tomorrow will then bring N/NW to N winds at around 10 to 15 knots, before we see a wind change on Sunday, with E/SE winds forecast at around 10 knots, although they may blow slightly stronger through the afternoon.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have not been too bad this past week, although there has still been some slop and chop about with the varying wind direction and strength.
Now for those swimmers keen to hit the beach this weekend, my message to you would be to check the sky before you go, as the rain may well dictate your trip.
That aside, if you still keen to get wet, the better beaches for swimmers through today and tomorrow while the winds are from the North will certainly be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach – all other beaches will be quite choppy and also have a slight current pushing from north to south.
However, by Sunday when the wind changes, beaches such as Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park will be slightly better.
The best time for a swim will either be very early in the morning, or again from early to mid-afternoon when the tide is high.
Just be careful if swimming, as the water is quite murky across most beaches from the stormwater run-off.
Please check with the 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 a great deal of quality surfing conditions across our local beaches during this past week, but there have still been a few messy and sloop waves about for the diehards that have been able to find the right window of opportunity.
Unfortunately, the wind forecast for today and tomorrow is not conducive to providing any quality waves, but as per usual with the northerlies, maybe consider checking out Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads for something worth getting wet for.
If not, maybe Sunday will throw up somewhat of a cleaner wave at the usual locations with the change in wind direction. Good Luck!
For the SUP and ocean-ski paddlers, you may find enough wind and motion in the ocean throughout today or maybe again tomorrow for a north to south downwind paddle.
If not, be prepared for a bit of a sloppy ocean for the most part and maybe consider a paddle in the creeks or rivers for calmer water.
Events: Good luck to our local surf lifesavers that will be representing and racing for Queensland Country this weekend in the Queensland Interbranch Championships at Maroochydore.
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 report: Weather to settle with warmer temperatures on the way