Well, it has been a mostly fine week of weather, but it has been windy, and those temperatures have remained slightly cooler than average too!
But as we look ahead to today and across the weekend, we can expect those temperatures to climb, with mostly sunny skies, and the winds will ease slightly as they start to swing more from the N/NE.
Today’s winds will be variable, but only at around 10 knots throughout the day, with S/SE winds early this morning that will then swing more from the E/SE during the day and then from the E/NE by this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning will bring very light N/NE winds at around 5 knots, before they increase to around 10 knots by late morning and then get up to around 15 knots through the afternoon. Sunday’s winds are then expected to be a more constant 10 to 15 knots from the N/NE.
Swimming: Swimming conditions this past week have been quite okay through the very early mornings, but then have become quite choppy and messy throughout the day thanks to the gusty onshore winds.
But in good news for swimmers, the ocean should start to calm down quite substantially through today as the winds ease, before tomorrow morning then provides probably the best swimming conditions across the weekend.
The northerly winds will get a little stronger through Saturday afternoon and into Sunday, so choppy conditions will return but more so on beaches that face in a northerly direction.
Therefore, the best beaches for swimmers across the weekend will be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach – particularly when the northerly winds increase.
However, all beaches will have great swimming conditions tomorrow morning! The best time for swimmers to hit the beach will be around mid to late morning when the tide is high.
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 – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water; 1 pm to 5 pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach
Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water
Surfing: This past week has provided plenty of waves for local board-riders to enjoy – a little messy at times, but still plenty of fun-sized enjoyment.
However, as per usual, as head into the weekend, the swell forecast does not look promising.
Today, and more particularly this morning, will likely provide the last of the fun-sized waves before the northerly winds start to ruin it.
For today, check out beaches such as Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach. Then for the weekend, tomorrow morning may throw up a small, clean wave – with Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads also worth a shot by then. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there should be reasonable south to north downwind paddling conditions through Saturday afternoon and also on Sunday, but if you are looking for a calm and gentle ocean paddle, I would suggest Saturday morning may be your best chance, or head to Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads after that to escape the northerly winds.
Events: Nil.
Last week's beach report: Local beaches the place to be this weekend
