Craig Holden says it will be good weather for beachgoers on Christmas Day as the wind drops and swimming conditions improve.
Well, it has been a very windy week for the most part this week, with choppy and messy ocean conditions as well – as you would expect with those gusty E/SE winds.
But we did see a drop in wind strength yesterday, and in good news for beachgoers, the winds will ease even further for today and tomorrow – and also on Christmas Day morning as well – but they are coming back with a vengeance on Monday and into Tuesday.
Mostly sunny skies are expected over the Christmas long weekend too, with temperatures expected to remain mild to warm.
This morning’s winds will be very light early at only around 5 knots from the E/NE before they swing from the NE this afternoon but only at around 10 knots.
Tomorrow morning will again bring very light and variable winds at around 5 knots, which will turn from the N/NE to E/NE during the day at only 5 to 10 knots.
Christmas Day is also looking fantastic in the morning too, with around 5 knots of S/SE to E/SE winds, but these winds will increase to around 15 knots through the afternoon.
Strong S/SE to E/SE winds will then return by Monday and continue into Tuesday, with up to 25 knots of E/SE winds forecast by Tuesday.
Swimming: Swimming conditions have been very messy and choppy for the most part this week – particularly on those open and exposed beaches – and especially through the afternoons.
But, in good news for swimmers and beachgoers, the swimming conditions will improve sharply today, and then continue to be good for both Christmas Eve, and through the morning on Christmas Day as well.
But unfortunately, we can expect these swimming conditions to deteriorate for Monday and Tuesday – unless you can find a protected location to escape the strong onshore winds.
The best time for swimmers over the coming days will be through the mornings whilst the tide is high and the winds are light, but you will need to be careful due to the large high tide heights – and associated large amount of tidal and water movement during the outgoing stage of the tide.
The best beaches for swimmers for today and tomorrow will be Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads, however by Sunday afternoon onwards, beaches such as Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Moore Park and Nielson Park will be better 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: Weekdays – 9 am to 5 pm at  Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a roving lifeguard operating in the Bundaberg Region (Please note: Operational hours may differ at certain beaches).
Saturday, Sunday and public holidays – 8 am to 6 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard operating in the Bundaberg Region.
Surfing: Local board-riders have been enjoying plenty of waves during this past week, however the quality has not been overly great due to the strong and gusty onshore winds.
Looking ahead to today and across the weekend, we are expecting the winds to be quite light, but unfortunately, they will also turn more from the E/NE as well, which is not great for surfing.
But, if you can wait a couple of days, we are forecast to receive another strong SE wind change, which should start to whip up more waves from Monday onwards.
For today and tomorrow, if you are desperate to get wet, maybe consider Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads for a small wave, but by early next week, Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Moore Park and Mon Repos should start to produce some better waves.
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, the early mornings from today until Sunday, will provide reasonably gentle ocean conditions to enjoy, but for those looking for a slick downwind paddle, you will have plenty of south to north paddling options on Monday and Tuesday!
Events: On behalf of all local surf lifesavers, I would like to wish everyone a very safe, enjoyable and Merry Christmas.
Thank you also to all of our volunteer lifesavers and paid lifeguards that are giving up their family time to keep our beaches safe on Christmas Day.
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