
Well, it has been a fantastic week of weather so far this week, with warm and muggy days, mostly sunny skies, and generally light to only moderate winds.
It was really only yesterday afternoon when we felt gustier and stronger winds.
As we look ahead to today and then across the weekend, we can expect some mixed weather conditions!
Today is going to be windy, with 20_ knots of N/NW winds forecast, but then these winds will ease across the weekend.
The skies will also be cloudy and partly overcast, with the chance of the odd shower through both today and tomorrow, along with the chance of thunderstorms as well.
Tomorrow’s winds will ease back to be only 5 to 10 knots from the N/NW in the morning before increasing slightly to 10 to 15 knots from the N/NE through the afternoon.
Sunday is looking pretty good as well, with 5 to 10+ knots of N/NE to E/NE winds forecast.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been pretty good during this past week, with mostly mild and gentle conditions through the mornings, and just some afternoon chop whipping up as the afternoon sea breezes develop.
These conditions will change today however (a bit like yesterday afternoon) as the stronger N/NW winds produce very choppy and messy conditions on most beaches, along with a side current pushing from north to south – so head to Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach to find better swimming conditions.
In better news but, the winds will ease over the weekend and produce much better swimming conditions – particularly through the mornings while the tide is high and the winds light.
Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach will still provide the best swimming conditions, but other beaches should also be OK through the mornings.
Hit the beaches any time from early morning and through until late morning for the best conditions.
Please check with the 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: Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach & Agnes Water; 1 pm to 5 pm at Elliott Heads & Moore Park Beach
Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach & Agnes Water
Weekdays (including Today) – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water ONLY
Surfing
The surf conditions have not been great during the past week, but there have been a few moments of glassy fun to be found.
Today will not bring much joy either with gusty NW winds forecast, but don’t be afraid to try the northern end of Kelly’s Beach or around the old mouth of the Elliott River for some cleaner waves.
Then for the weekend, tomorrow morning may surprise early at the usual locations if the wind drops out, but if not Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads could well still be the better locations over the coming days, but other beaches should improve from Saturday as the winds ease.
Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, today should provide you with endless fun and some super-fast north to south downwind runs.
For those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle though, you will need to hit the beaches early on Saturday and Sunday morning, with Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads being great locations for you.
Events
Good luck to the small group of local surf lifesavers heading to the Sunshine Coast this weekend to compete in the Hayden Kenny Surf Classic at Alexandra Headland.