Well, it has once again been a mixed bag of weather across the region this week, with very hot and humid conditions up to and including Wednesday before a slightly cooler change arrived yesterday morning with an accompanying change in wind direction.
This wind change will be short-lived however, along with the cooler temperatures, with the winds expected to swing back from the north by this afternoon, and temperatures climbing again over the weekend – although not being quite as humid.
There is also the chance of a shower or two on Sunday.
This morning’s winds will continue from the E/SE at around 10 knots before they swing from the NE at 10 to 15 knots through this afternoon.
Tomorrow is then expected to bring slightly stronger winds, with 10 to 15 knots of N/NE winds through the morning that will then increase to 15 to 20 knots by the afternoon.
Sunday will then bring even stronger (and warmer) N/NW winds at 20 to 25 knots.
Swimming: Swimming conditions have generally been quite good through the majority of this past week, with just a little more wind arriving yesterday to bring slightly choppy conditions through the afternoon.
But the news is not quite so good for the weekend – and in particular by Saturday afternoon and into Sunday when the winds will increase substantially from the North.
Today will provide reasonable swimming conditions for beach goers, and particularly through this morning, but then from this afternoon and across both days of the weekend, you would be best advised to head to beaches that provide protection from the forecast, gusty northerly winds.
For the weekend, the best beaches will absolutely be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach, with the best time to swim being either through the very early mornings, or again from mid to late afternoon (although it will be quite windy in the afternoons), when the tide is higher.
Other beaches will get very choppy and messy, with a significant side sweep expected to push from north to south (left to right).
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 no joy whatsoever for local board-riders, with the wave heights either being non-existent or less than 1 foot in size at best.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, the forecast is not too much better, with strong northerly winds expected through Saturday afternoon and into Sunday, which is not great news for surfers.
There is the chance that Sunday could see an increase in wave heights, but the only beaches locally that could provide any joy are likely to be Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads.
If not, a drive south to Rainbow Beach or Double Island Point may be your best shot for success. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there should be plenty of quick, fun downwind paddling conditions across the weekend – particularly through Saturday afternoon and all-day Sunday (north to south).
Events: Good luck to all local surf lifesavers that will be competing this weekend at either or both of Rounds 1 (Saturday) and 2 (Sunday) of the WBC Branch Premiership Series at Agnes Water Main Beach, and also to those that are heading south to the Gold Coast for other events.
Last week's beach report: Temperature to climb with mostly sunny weather
