Well yet again, it has been another very warm and muggy week with the humidity really sapping energy levels, whilst the winds continue to blow from the north.
But there appears to be some slight relief in store from the humidity, with the winds forecast to swing from the E/SE from today and through until Sunday.
It will still be warm, but the maximum temperatures should only reach the high 20’s.
Showers are also forecast for the coming days, along with the continued possibility of thunderstorms (more likely today), so please keep an eye on the sky when planning your beach trip.
This morning’s winds will be light at only 5 to 10 knots from the E/SE before they increase this afternoon to be 10 to 15 knots.
Tomorrow will then be a little windier, with E/SE winds at around 15 knots through the morning but then increasing to be 15 to 20 knots through the afternoon.
Sunday will then be very similar with more E/SE to E/NE winds at 15+ knots.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have once again been quite choppy this past week on those beaches that are exposed to the northerly winds, but Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach have been very nice.
However, this weekend will see a change in wind direction and of course a change in the best beaches for swimmers.
Today’s lighter winds will provide good swimming conditions across all beaches, but for the weekend beaches such as Agnes Water, Hervey Bay, Nielson Park and Moore Park will be the better options due to them providing a little more protection from the SE winds.
Hit the beaches any time up until about mid to late morning for the best conditions too!
With the full moon tomorrow night, the morning high tides are very high, with a large variance between high and low tide, so please be careful if swimming with lots of water movement and currents (and please avoid the creek and river mouths during the run-out stage of the tide).
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!
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 only
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 with mostly choppy conditions across most beaches, including the popular surf spots, but there were some fun, clean waves to be found at those beaches offering some shelter from the northerly winds.
For today and then across the weekend, we are finally expecting a change in wind direction, but I am not sure if this will lead to great surfing conditions.
At a minimum though, we should see a slight increase in wave heights even though these waves will be a little sloppy and messy due to the onshore winds!
Have a look very early this morning while the winds are light, or else check out Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos or Moore Park across the weekend.
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, the changing wind direction will provide sloppy and mixed conditions, but there should be plenty of south to north downwind fun to be had through Saturday and Sunday.
For those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle though, you will need to hit the beach early this morning, or else head to the protected inland waterways across the weekend.
Last week’s beach report: Moderate winds and blue skies ahead
