Well, it has been a very warm and humid week thus far, with a mix of light to moderate winds, but things have certainly changed over the last 24 hours.
The forecast for the coming days is looking a little varied as well, with lots of uncertainty thanks to the weather system unfolding just south of us!
At present, it does appear we could certainly see some showers through today and tomorrow at least, but whether we see any substantial rain is a little up in the air – just keep an eye on the forecast.
This morning winds should only be quite light at around 5 to 10 knots from the E/SE before they increase during the day up to 10 to 15 knots.
Tomorrow morning will then bring stronger S/SE winds at around 15 knots, before they also increase to 15 to 20 knots from the E/SE through the afternoon.
Sunday will then be almost identical to Saturday. Fingers crossed we see more sunshine than clouds by Sunday – if not earlier!
Swimming: The swimming conditions during this past week have been pretty good through the mornings, but then getting choppy through the afternoons, and this will again be the norm over the coming days too.
Generally, the mornings should provide the best swimming conditions – particularly early while the tide is higher and the winds lighter – but today will be quite okay for most of the day, with some slight chop whipping up by this afternoon.
Whilst this morning’s swimming conditions should be pretty good across almost all of our beaches, by this afternoon and then across the weekend, beaches such as Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park beach will be the better options for swimmers due to their protection from the prevailing winds.
Swimmers will still need to be cautious though as there will be a side sweep pushing from right to left along those open beaches across the weekend, and the waves will be quite sloppy and messy.
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: Saturday and Sunday – 9am to 5pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water
Weekdays – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Surfing: There has not been a great deal happening in terms of quality waves for surfers during this past week, but there have been a few small windows of opportunity to find some small waves here and there.
The coming days is looking promising, but without any confidence due the unpredictability of the weather system just below us.
We certainly should see an increase in wave heights, but the wave quality will probably be lacking – sloppy and messy waves will probably dominate.
If looking for a surf, Nielson Park, Mon Repos, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water will likely be the better options for board-riders – and probably best either in the early morning or again from mid to late afternoon. Good Luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, this morning will likely provide some reasonably gentle conditions for an ocean paddle – if the winds forecast stays true! For the weekend, maybe consider finding a few waves early or else there could be some okay downwind conditions (south to north) across the weekend.
Events: Good luck to all local junior surf lifesavers who will be competing today, tomorrow and Sunday at the 2022 QLD State Youth Surf Lifesaving Championships on the Sunshine Coast!
Important note: Remember there are updated COVID-19 restrictions, if you are at the beach, please also do your best to abide by them as much as possible!
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- Help RSPCA’s Give To Get Them Home appeal
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- Mirusia Moncrieff performance a welcome return
