Well, once again it has been another week of very warm temperatures and high humidity across the region, with even the odd storm and scattered shower about as well.
Now, looking ahead to today and across the weekend, the forecast is indicating another few days of warm temperatures and high humidity – particularly today – before those onshore winds start to increase through tomorrow afternoon and hopefully cool things down slightly.
Today’s winds will variable and mostly light, with only around 5 knots of N/NW to S/SW this morning that will eventually turn more from the E/NE to N/Ne this afternoon and increase to around 10 knots.
Tomorrow will then bring a SE wind change into the region, with around 10 knots of E/SE forecast for tomorrow morning that will then increase to 15+ knots through the afternoon.
Sunday will then bring more E/SE winds at 10 to 15 knots through the morning and then increasing to 15 to 20 knots through the afternoon.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have again been good right throughout this past week thanks to the predominantly light winds, but the coming days look set to produce a mix of swimming conditions.
The swimming conditions today will be the best for the next three days, with only light winds expected throughout the day, but then as we get into the weekend, we can expect swimming conditions to get a little worse as those winds turn from the E/SE and increase through Saturday afternoon and into Sunday.
For today, all beaches will have great swimming conditions through this morning, but by this afternoon beaches such as Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads will be slightly better and particularly by mid to late afternoon.
Across the weekend, beaches that provide protection from the prevailing SE winds will be the better options for swimmers, so consider locations such as Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Moore Park Beach and Nielson Park Beach as being the better options from Saturday afternoon onwards.
The best time for a swim will be from early to mid-morning, or again from mid to late afternoon, but the afternoons will be choppier.
Please check with the surf lifesavers or 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 Kelly’s Beach & 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: The surf conditions have been non-existent this past week, with nothing more than a tiny wave present across almost all of our local beaches.
As we look ahead to the weekend, there is a glimmer of hope that the wave heights could start to increase through Sunday, but more likely if the forecast holds true, the better surf conditions will be through early to mid-next week.
Maybe have a look at Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Moore Park and Mon Repos through Sunday, but then also through next week as well. Just be mindful that Agnes Water will be busy over the coming days due to the Longboard Classic. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers looking for calm and gentle ocean conditions, today should provide plenty of great conditions for you, along with early tomorrow morning.
However, for those looking for downwind paddling conditions, you will be best served waiting until tomorrow afternoon and Sunday for a slick south to north paddle.
Events: Good luck to all competitors at the Agnes Water Longboard Classic that will end on Sunday.
