Well, it has been a cool and windy week across the local region, with moderate to strong SE winds, and a few scattered showers as well.
As we look ahead to the coming days, it appears we are in for more of the same weather conditions too, with moderate S/SE to E/SE winds, mild temperatures and just the very slight chance of a scattered shower.
This morning’s winds will be from the S/SE early at around 10 to 15 knots, before they swing from the E/SE during the day and then increase to 15 to 20 knots through to this afternoon.
Saturday will be quite similar, with S/SE winds through the morning at 10 to 15 knots that will then swing from the E/SE and increase to 15+ knots.
Sunday will bring some slight relief, with the forecast suggesting E/SE winds at 10 to 15 knots.
Swimming
The swimming conditions have been OK in the very early mornings during this past week, but the ocean became very choppy and messy through the afternoons – and particularly on those open and exposed beaches.
This will again be the trend for today and across the weekend too, with the best swimming conditions being found in the early mornings while the winds are lighter and the tide higher, and then choppy and messy conditions developing through the day and worsening into the afternoons.
The open and exposed beaches will be a lot messier and will also have a side current pushing from right to left as well, so look for those protected locations if swimming during the next few days.
The best beaches for swimmers will be Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach.
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: Saturday and Sunday and next week – 9 – 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard operating within the Bundaberg Region.
Surfing
Local board-riders have been enjoying some fun-sized waves during the past week, but you have to have found the right beach on the right stage of the tide to get the better conditions.
This will be similar through today and across the weekend as well, with more fun-sized waves expected to hang around, and the best time to enjoy them will likely be through the very early mornings, although Agnes Water should provide more options through the later part of the morning and into the afternoon as well.
Best locations will be Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos, and Moore Park Beach.
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there should be no shortage of slick, downwind action over the coming days, with plenty of SE wind for some south to north fun!
But for those chasing a more relaxed and gentle paddle, you will have to hit the beach very, very early, or else head to the sheltered inland waterways.
Events
The 2023-24 Surf Life Saving Season officially commences on Saturday with the re-commencement of volunteer beach patrols across the local region, which will be complimented by paid lifeguard services during the two week school holiday period.
The local region has experienced cool and windy conditions this week, with moderate to strong southeast winds and scattered showers. The weather outlook for the coming days suggests more of the same, with moderate south/southeast to east/southeast winds, mild temperatures, and a slight chance of scattered showers. Swimming conditions are best in the early mornings, with choppy and messy conditions developing as the day progresses, especially on open and exposed beaches. It’s important to swim only at patrolled beaches, between the red and yellow flags, and during patrol times for safety.