NewsWeatherMore rain on the cards for this weekend

More rain on the cards for this weekend

rain and wind forecast
Craig Holden says the rain and wind forecast is set to return and if swimming at local beaches do so with caution. Photo: Kelly’s Beach Bargara

In this week's beach report Craig Holden says the rain and wind are set to return and if you are planning to swim at local beaches, do so with caution.

Well, we certainly experienced some stunning weather conditions after the rain cleared last Friday night, and from Saturday to Tuesday we hardly felt a breath of breeze!

But as per usual, it looks like we are in for more ordinary weather for the weekend – with wind and rain forecast for today and tomorrow as a coastal trough develops!

Today’s forecast is for rain to develop, along with strong E/SE winds blowing at around 20 to 25 knots, with a similar forecast for rain and moderate to strong E/SE winds (around 20 knots) for tomorrow as well.

Definitely not looking like being ideal beach conditions, but as per usual, keep an eye on the sky as the forecast can be wrong!

Sunday then should start to bring a gradual improvement, with showers easing and winds also dropping slightly to around 15 to 20 knots from the E/SE.

So, in a nutshell, keep a close eye on the sky and the wind before planning any beach trips, and if it does improve, there could be a few windows of opportunity for you.

Swimming: Once the swell started to drop from about Sunday afternoon, we have seen some stunning swimming conditions across the local beaches, with Monday and Tuesday especially providing great conditions.

But yet again, the forecast is saying that this will all change over the coming days, with rain and wind forecast to return, which will in turn bring choppy, messy, and even slightly rough conditions on those more open and exposed beaches, along with a strong side sweep or current pushing from right to left (south to north).

So, if you are swimming, please do so with caution. The early mornings should provide slightly better swimming conditions whilst the winds are lighter, but it will also be low tide then, so if the winds do not get a strong as forecast, maybe consider hitting the beach around midday while to tide is higher.

The best beaches for swimmers will be those that offer protection from the prevailing winds, so Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Moore Park Beach, and Nielson Park Beach should be the best 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 – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only

Surfing: Well last weekend certainly provided some awesome conditions for local bord-riders to enjoy, with clean, glassy and decent-sized waves the norm across all beaches in the region – and there were plenty of board-riders out and about to enjoy them as well!

As expected though, the wave heights did drop sharply and quickly after the weekend, and the last few days have been quite small, but with another weather system forecast to impact us from today, there could well be more waves to enjoy today and across the weekend – but they are expected to be quite messy and wind-affected today and tomorrow especially.

Maybe by Sunday, as the wind eases, the waves will hopefully get a little cleaner.

Beaches such as Agnes Water, Mon Repos, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach will likely be the better options for the coming days. Good luck!

For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, if the wind does as it is forecast to do, there should be plenty of south to north downwind paddling options over the coming days for the more experienced paddlers.

But for those looking for a more relaxed paddle, once again you will need to head into the protected inland waterways and creeks/rivers.

Events: The Bundaberg SLSC will host their 100 Year Centenary celebrations this weekend, with the gala dinner tonight at the Multiplex, and then an open day at the clubhouse at Bargara tomorrow.

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