Sunday is looking like being a sensational day for beachgoers as the sun comes out and the temperature increases for the start of the school holidays.
Weather
It has been another pretty good week of weather and beach conditions across the region, with generally light winds and milder to warm temperatures for beach-goers to enjoy.
But as we start looking ahead to today and across the weekend, we can expect mixed weather conditions, with gusty northerly winds today and tomorrow – and even some rain, and a possible thunderstorm on Saturday.
Today’s winds will be from the N to N/NW at around 10 to 15 knots this morning, before they increase to 15 to 20 knots this afternoon.
Tomorrow will then bring N/NW winds again, but they should be slightly lighter but still moderate at around 10 to 15+ knots.
On Sunday we will see light and variable winds with the forecast saying 5 to 10 knots of W/SW to E/NE to N/NW winds.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been generally good for the most part this week, but we can expect choppy conditions to return through today (and particularly this afternoon) and tomorrow – with beaches that are exposed to the northerly winds being the worst affected too.
But, if you can wait until Sunday, you will certainly get the best of the beach and swimming conditions by then as the winds ease, the sun shines, and the temperature climbs!
For today and tomorrow, the best beaches will certainly be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach, however on Sunday, all beaches should provide mostly good swimming conditions.
High tides are due from midday to mid- afternoon on Sunday, so this will be the best time for a swim, along with those early mornings when the winds could just be a little lighter.
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
Saturday and Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park & Agnes Water, plus a Roving Lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region
Weekdays (School Holidays) – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park & Agnes Water, plus a Roving Lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region
Surfing
Not much joy has been found this past week for local board riders, but there were a few opportunities here and there to find some clean, fun waves early in the week.
Looking ahead to today and into the weekend, we are expecting those dreaded northerly winds to intensify through today and stay with us again tomorrow, so this will likely mean ordinary surfing conditions at most beaches, but if you are keen have a look at the northern end of Kelly’s Beach, and even at Elliott Heads, for a small but cleaner wave today and tomorrow.
Sunday will then bring light winds, so maybe consider an early morning sojourn with the mal in tow to find a few clean mal waves. Good luck!
For the SUP and Ocean Ski Paddlers, there will be plenty of north to south downwind options during both today and tomorrow – and if the wind forecast holds, it will be a quick run too!
But for those chasing more relaxed paddling conditions, you would be best served waiting for Sunday morning to hit the ocean!
Events
Tomorrow marks the official start of the 2022-23 Surf Life Saving Season, with Volunteer Beach Patrols re-commencing, along with paid Lifeguard Services.
Good luck to the small group of local surf lifesavers that will be competing today at the 2022 QLD Endurance Championships at Tugun (Gold Coast).
Other stories: Critical care doctors join LifeFlight team
