Well, it has been a windy old week across the local region, with moderate to strong S/SE to E/SE winds for the most part, and a few scattered showers thrown in as well amongst the sunshine.
Now the weather forecast for the coming days is up in the air, and highly likely to change significantly after you read this column, with everything dependant on the movement of TC Alfred.
However, regardless of this, it will be a windy few days ahead, with the likelihood of scattered showers and maybe some rain later in the weekend as well.
This morning’s winds will be from the E/SE at 15 to 20 knots before increasing during the day to be 20 to 25 knots by this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning will bring S/SE winds at around 20 knots and then they will increase to be 25+ knots from the E/SE during the day.
Sunday will be similar as well with S/SE to E/SE winds at 20 to 25 knots.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been OK during the past week, without being great, as the gusty onshore winds kept the ocean choppy and messy during the afternoons.
But we can expect conditions to get very messy and rough over the coming days as the winds increase and so does the swell size.
Making it more challenging for swimmers will be the very large high tide heights that will combine with the large surf to cause lots of water movement, currents and rips on those open and exposed beaches.
Swimmers are urged to swim with caution over the coming days and read the warning signs – if the beaches are closed, please don’t risk it!
The best beach by far this weekend will be Hervey Bay, with all other beaches likely to be quite rough, unless you can beat the wind through the early mornings.
Please also avoid the creek and river mouths during the outgoing stage of the tide when there will be strong tidal currents in these locations as well.
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!
Today – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only.
Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water; 1 pm to 5 pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach.
Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Surfing
Once again, the waves have continued this past week, with plenty of fun waves about for the board-riders to enjoy and it has been gradually increasing in size too for the past day or two.
Looking ahead to today, then across the weekend, and even into early next week, the forecast suggests that the waves are only going to get bigger – particularly as the long-range swell pulse arrives from TC Alfred (hopefully from today).
The key will be the wind – and how strong it gets, which direction it blows from and how strong it gets!
Regardless though, there are going to plenty of waves about for the next 4 or 5 days, with all beaches worth a look – hopefully it doesn’t get too wild, rough and out of control!
Good luck and stay safe!
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, there will be plenty of wind and swell – but they both will likely not line up too well for a quality downwind run – and it’s also likely to be very rough out there too.
And for those looking for a more relaxed and gentler paddle, you will need to head to the inland, protected waterways.
Last week’s beach report: mornings best for swimmers
