Well, yet again, it has been another warm and muggy week across the local region, with moderate onshore winds to start the week that have been replaced by light winds over the past few days.
As we look ahead to the coming days, a lot of the forecast is going to depend on the possible formation and track of a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea, but if this is to form, it is likely any impacts from this will be felt during next week.
For today and across the weekend, the forecast is for more high humidity and very warm temperatures, with the chance of showers about as well.
The winds this morning will be very light at around 0 to 5 knots from the N/NE to E/NE, before they gradually increase during the day to be around 10 to 15 knots through this afternoon.
Tomorrow will then bring E/SE winds at around 10 to 15 knots throughout the day, although they could get slightly stronger in the late afternoon.
Sunday will then bring E/SE winds at around 15 knots through the morning and 15 to 20 knots through the afternoon.
Swimming
The swimming conditions were a little messy and choppy to start the week, but they have improved quickly over the past few days with the light winds bringing much better conditions for beachgoers.
These great swimming conditions will continue into today, and especially this morning, before they gradually get choppier and messier as the weekend unfolds.
By Saturday afternoon and then through Sunday, the open and more exposed beaches will be quite choppy, with a side current pushing along their length from south to north as well.
For today, the best beaches for swimmers will certainly be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach, but across the weekend when the E/SE winds arrive, the better beaches will then be Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach and Moore Park.
The best time for a swim will either be in the early mornings when the winds are lighter, or again around mid-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:
Today: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach, Moore Park and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region.
Please note: These are minimum patrol times – some locations may have longer hours of patrol time.
Surfing
Once again, it has been another lean week in terms of waves on our local beaches, with just a few very small windows of opportunity here and there to find a small wave.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, wave conditions will be quite similar, with just small waves expected across local beaches – but next week should be a completely different matter if that cyclone forms and throws some swell our way!
Maybe have a look around Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads early this morning and throughout today but then across the weekend, head to locations such as Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach, Mon Repos and Moore Park in the hope of finding something a little bigger.
Good luck, and if all else fails, just wait for next week’s waves!
