Well, it has been quite a pleasant week so far, with those milder and slightly cooler temperatures signalling that autumn is now here.
Beach conditions have been a little mixed though, with great swimming conditions found through the early mornings, but then choppy conditions after that due to the moderate onshore winds.
Now looking ahead to today and across the weekend, it appears that based on the forecast, it could be quite similar weather conditions staying with us – slightly lighter winds through the early mornings that will get stronger during the day and into the afternoon.
Temperatures will also remain quite mild, but still perfect for a beach trip!
The winds for both today and tomorrow will be almost identical, with around 10 to 15 knots of S/SE winds in the early mornings that will then turn more from the E/SE during the day and increase to 15 to 20 knots through the afternoon.
Sunday’s winds will then be slightly lighter, with 10 to 15 knots of S/SE to E/SE winds throughout the day.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have again been quite mixed during the past week, with clam and glassy conditions through the early mornings that were then replaced by choppy and slightly messy conditions through the afternoons.
Now, for the coming days, the likelihood is high that swimming conditions could be very similar.
The mornings will certainly be the best time for a swim while the winds are a little lighter and the tide is higher – pretty much through until around mid-morning or just after.
Then, once the winds increase by late morning onwards, we can expect choppier conditions to return along with a side sweep pushing along those open and exposed beaches from south to north.
Beaches that provide some protection from the prevailing winds will also be better options for swimming over the coming days too – but moreso from mid to late morning onwards – Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach.
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 – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water; 1pm to 5pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach.
Sunday – 9am to 5pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Weekdays – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Surfing: The early part of this past week, saw local board-riders enjoying plenty of fun, clean waves through the early mornings, but the wave heights did start to drop quickly through Wednesday and into yesterday.
The coming days will again bring moderate S/SE to E/SE winds, so the wave heights may again increase slightly, but without any noticeable groundswell about, it may just be choppy windswell, which may not be the most fun.
However, keep an eye on conditions over the coming days to see just what does eventuate – the early mornings may just provide a small window of cleaner conditions to enjoy.
Best options will likely be Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach.
Please be mindful though that the Agnes Water Longboard Classic is on at Agnes Water, so please stay clear of the competition area. Good luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers looking for some downwind paddling action, the moderate S/SE to E/SE winds through the afternoons should provide a decent south to run today, and again tomorrow north downwind.
If not, stick to the protected waterways and rivers if you are wanting a more relaxed paddle.
Events: Good luck to all competitors in the annual Agnes Water Longboard Classic, which has been going for a few days now, but continues across the weekend!
- Last week’s beach report: Cooler conditions on the way after a muggy week
