Well, it has certainly been a great week of weather for beachgoers across the local region during this past week, with warm temperatures and light winds providing a great recipe for time at the beach.
Looking ahead to the weekend and we it is mixed news for beach goers, with the good news being the forecast for more warm temperatures, but in less good news is the increase in wind forecast through Saturday afternoon and into Sunday – but it will not be as windy as last weekend!
This morning’s winds will be super-light early at around 5 knots from the W/SW before they then turn from the S/SW later in the morning and eventually from the N/NE by the afternoon.
This afternoon will also see these N/NE winds increase to 10 to 15 knots.
Tomorrow will then bring light (50 to 10 knots) N/NW winds that will swing from the N/NE during the afternoon and increase to around 15 knots. Sunday’s forecast is then from slightly stronger winds, with 10 to 15 knots of N/NE winds at around 10 to 15 knots through the morning but then increase to 15 to 20 knots through the afternoon.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been fantastic for the most part this past week, with generally calm and gentle conditions for swimmers to enjoy.
These gentle swimming conditions swill continue this morning, and also again tomorrow morning, but this afternoon and again tomorrow afternoon will bring choppy conditions, before Sunday then brings choppier conditions for the entire day – and particularly at beaches that are exposed to the northerly winds.
With this in mind, all beaches across the region will provide great swimming conditions this morning, but from this afternoon onwards, the better beaches will almost certainly be Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads, with the exception being early tomorrow morning when most beaches will again be quite OK.
The best time to hit the beach will be from early morning through until mid to late morning if you wish to find the high tide and a calmer ocean. Just be careful during the run-out stage of the tide over the coming days with an increased amount of tidal movement likely to cause strong currents.
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 not provided a lot of joy again for local board-riders, although last Sunday did provide a few waves if you found the right location.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, the forecast is not too much better either, with just the chance of a few very small, but clean waves through early this morning and again tomorrow morning, but then as the northerly winds increase, we can expect mostly choppy and small conditions.
Sunday morning could provide a little bump to enjoy around Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads, but 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 through tomorrow afternoon and again on Sunday (north to south of course), whilst this morning and again early tomorrow morning may be OK for those looking for calmer and gentler conditions.
Events
Good luck to our five local surf lifesavers that will represent Queensland Country (U13-U17 Team) at this weekend’s Queensland Interbranch Championships on the Gold Coast.
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