It has been another mostly good week of weather for beachgoers this past week, with even some unseasonably warm conditions returning again on Wednesday and Thursday, but unfortunately it does appear that things are going to change quickly!
Strong and gusty onshore winds are forecast to return with a vengeance today and stay with us for at least the next three to four days – bringing with them cooler temperatures, and the chance of showers.
Today’s winds will likely be the lightest for the next four days, with this morning’s winds from the E/SE at around 15 knots before they increase during the day to reach 15 to 20 knots.
Then, for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, we can expect an almost identical forecast, with E/SE winds at 15 to 20 knots through the mornings that will then increase to 20 to 25 knots through the afternoons, with possible stronger gusts as well.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have been pretty good for beachgoers again during this past week, with Wednesday in particular being a great day with those summer-like temperatures.
Unfortunately, though, as we look ahead to today and the upcoming long weekend, the news for beachgoers and swimmers does not look anywhere near as good!
Strong and gusty SE winds will return today and stay with us across the weekend, meaning that the open and exposed beaches will be very messy and choppy, and even potentially a little rough too, with a strong side sweep pushing from south to north as well.
The best beaches for swimmers over the coming days will 100 per cent be those that provide some protection from the strong and gusty SE winds – so Hervey Bay and Agnes Water (inside the headland) will be the best, followed by Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach locally, but it does appear that conditions are going to be quite messy and choppy and even some of these beaches too!
The very early mornings may provide a small window to escape the stronger winds, so give this time of day a go, or else you will find high tide conditions around mid-afternoon across the weekend.
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 – 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 and Monday – 9am to 5pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Weekdays (excluding Monday’s public holiday) – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only.
Surfing: Local board-riders have been pretty much wave-starved over this past week, with only very small waves being present since about Good Friday, and these have only really been suited to the mals (if anything at all).
But, with the upcoming bad forecast for swimmers, comes hopefully some good news for board-riders across this long weekend!
All indications are that we should see an increase in wave heights this weekend, starting through this afternoon, and getting better towards Sunday and into Monday – but conditions will be very messy due to the gusty onshore winds.
Agnes Water will be the best option, but locally, beaches such as Nielson Parl, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach will also be worth checking out. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there should once again be plenty of options for more slick south to north downwind paddles over the next three to four days, although there will be more E/SE in the wind combined with some larger and messier swell, so be mindful!
For those looking for a more relaxed and causal float, sorry, but you will need to hit head to the protected rives, creeks and inland waterways yet again.
Events: This weekend is the second-last weekend of volunteer surf lifesaving beach patrols for the 2021-22 season.
- Last week's beach report: Morning swim is best for Easter weekend at the beach
