Well, it has been another good week of weather across the local region – albeit it a little mixed – with a real blend of warm and cool temperatures, but mostly light to moderate winds only, which has been good for the school holiday beach goers!
As we look ahead to the weekend, it does appear that we are in for more mixed weather conditions in terms of winds and temperatures, but the forecasters are suggesting there could be some rain heading our way – although maybe not until Monday.
Single figure temperatures are expected this morning and again tomorrow morning, and daytime maximums will likely only reach around 20 to 22 degrees.
Today should also be mostly sunny before those overcast skies start to develop across the weekend as that rain band approaches from inland.
This morning’s winds will be cool and moderate from the S/SW at around 15 knots before they ease back to around 5 to 10 knots by late this afternoon.
Tomorrow will then be very similar with SW to S/SW winds at around 10 knots throughout the day.
Sunday will then bring S/SW winds early at around 10 knots but they will then increase to 15+ knots from the S/SE to E/SE through the afternoon.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have been pretty good for the most part this week, although there have been a few periods of choppier conditions through the afternoons.
Now for today and tomorrow, and even early on Sunday morning, we can expect more good swimming conditions while the winds are offshore, but it will feel a little chilly.
However, the ocean will start to get quite choppy through the day on Sunday and by Sunday afternoon it will likely be quite choppy and messy with stronger onshore winds forecast.
All beaches will be great for swimmers today and tomorrow, with the best time for a swim being from early to mid-morning and again from mid to late afternoon.
However, for Sunday, the better beaches will be Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach and Moore Park Beach, as they will provide some protection from the stronger SE winds.
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 – NIL
Saturday and Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Surfing: Once again, the past week has been seriously lacking on the wave front, with just a few very small, but clean waves about through the mornings for the diehards.
Now, unfortunately the forecast for today and the weekend is not looking too promising either, with more flat seas and maybe just a few very small, clean waves about.
But, looking further ahead, there should be a significant increase in wave heights from early to mid-next week – fingers crossed!
In the meanwhile, keep watching your favourite spot over the coming days as you never know what could be about. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there should be plenty of mild ocean conditions about through today and tomorrow, and maybe even Sunday morning as well, for those that like to have a relaxing paddle.
For the downwinders though, you should get some action on Sunday afternoon for a slick south to north paddle.
Events: Nil
Last week's beach report: Temperatures to climb across weekend
