According to this week's beach report mixed swimming conditions will continue this weekend with choppy and messy conditions at beaches that face in a northerly direction but much milder conditions on the protected beaches.
Weather
Well, it has been a very warm, very muggy, stormy, and at times windy week just passed with plenty of people out and about on the beaches trying to find some relief from the oppressive humidity.
Now, unfortunately, the forecast suggests that we are in for more of the same for at least the next three or four days too – with more warm temperatures, high humidity, and the chance of showers and thunderstorms through until New Year’s Day.
Moderate northerly winds will persist through until Sunday, before a weak E/SE wind change arrives for New Year’s Day and hopefully drops the temperature a few degrees!
This morning’s winds will from the N/NW at around 10 knots before they increase to 10 to 15 knots during the day and then to 15+ knots by late this afternoon. Tomorrow will be a windier day with 15 to 20 knots of N/NW winds throughout the day before Sunday morning brings lighter N/NW winds at only around 10 knots.
These winds will then swing more from the N/NE during Sunday afternoon and increase to 10 to 15 knots.
Monday will then bring E/SE winds at around 10 knots in the morning and 10 to 15 knots through the afternoon.
Swimming
The swimming conditions have been quite mixed during the past week, with choppy and messy conditions at beaches that face in a northerly direction but much milder conditions on the protected beaches.
This will again be the theme over the coming days, with Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach once again being the better locations for swimmers thanks to their protection from the prevailing northerly winds, whilst other locations will remain quite choppy up to and including Sunday – but Monday morning will then bring better conditions at these other beaches.
The best time for a swim over the coming days will be from mid-morning through until around midday to early afternoon when the tide is higher.
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 Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, PLUS a Rove Lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region.
SATURDAY, SUNDAY AND PUBLIC HOLIDAYS – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park and Agnes Water, PLUS a Rove Lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region
- NOTE: These are minimum patrol times – some locations may have longer hours of patrol time
Surfing
Not much has been happening across our local beaches this past week in terms of waves as you would expect with the northerly winds although there have been a few small windows of opportunity to beat the wind and find a few cleaner waves to try and enjoy.
Unfortunately, though, with the northerly winds set to remain for the next three days, there is not much chance of seeing any decent waves across our local beaches over the coming days either.
But, as per usual, keep an eye on conditions, with perhaps a small, clean wave to be found through the mornings at Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers, there should be plenty of north to south downwind fun up until Sunday, but for a more relaxed and gentle paddle, I would suggest hitting Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads through the very early mornings up until Sunday.
Events
Happy New Year to everyone! Please stay safe across the New Year’s long weekend!
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