In this week's Beach Report, Craig Holden says there will be mixed conditions across the weekend with onshore winds increasing.
Well, once again a little bit of a mixed bag of weather conditions this past week, with moderate onshore winds earlier in the week that have been replaced with much lighter winds over the past 24 hours or so, a few scattered showers about, and more mild temperatures.
As we look ahead to today and then across the weekend, it is also going to be more of the same mixed conditions.
Today will bring glorious conditions with super-light winds, before the onshore winds start to increase through tomorrow and then become very gusty on Sunday.
Showers will also become more and more likely by Sunday as well, with a slightly cooler maximum temperature expected.
This morning’s winds will be from the S/SW at only around 5 knots before they swing from the E/NE through this afternoon at around 10 knots.
Tomorrow will see S/SE to E/SE winds return at 10 to 15 knots through the morning and then increase to 15 to 20 knots through the afternoon.
Sunday will then bring 15 to 20 knots of S/SE winds through the morning and 20 to 25 knots of E/SE winds through the afternoon.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been fast improving throughout the week and today will be no exception, with glorious swimming conditions expected across all beaches, and particularly through until about early afternoon.
Unfortunately though, swimming conditions will worsen across the weekend, with choppy and messy conditions expected by tomorrow afternoon and then worsening through Sunday as the onshore winds get very gusty.
The open and exposed beaches will be worse too, as there will also be a strong side sweep pushing along these beaches from south to north.
So, for the best swimming conditions, hit any local beach through this morning, or head to Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads through this afternoon.
But, across the weekend, the best beaches will certainly be those that provide protection from the SE winds – Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach will be the better options, and more so through the mornings.
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!
Saturday: 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly's Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water; 1 to 5 pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach.
Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly's Beach, Nielson Park Beach, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Today and Weekdays: 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly's Beach and Agnes Water only.
Note: These are minimum patrol times – some locations may have longer hours of patrol time.
Surfing
Local beaches have thrown up plenty of small, but fun-sized waves this week, and there appears to be no reason that we should not expect more of the same today and maybe even tomorrow morning as well, before things get messy and choppy by Sunday – although the wave heights should also increase too.
All locations will be worth a sneaky look through this morning, whilst Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads could surprise later this afternoon.
But across the weekend, your best options will be Agnes Water, Mon Repos, Moore Park and Nielson Park. Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, you will have plenty of wind for a slick south to north run tomorrow afternoon and then again throughout Sunday.
For those looking for a gentle and more relaxed paddle, hit the beach this morning, or else try the protected inland waterways across the weekend.
Events
Good Luck to all local surf lifesavers that are still racing and competing in the 2024 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships that will conclude this Sunday 21 April.
