Well, this past week has been mixed variable in terms of the weather, with quite mild temperatures, plenty of sunshine, light to moderate winds, and even the odd shower of rain from Wednesday night onwards.
The next few days of weather are also going to very mixed, with shifting and variable winds, more mild temperatures until about Sunday, but the increased chance of showers and even rain periods from today into tomorrow – but then cool temperatures will return from about Sunday night onwards when the cooler SW winds return.
Today’s winds will be from the E/NE this morning at about 15 knots before they swing from the NE during the day and gradually ease back to around 10 knots.
Tomorrow’s winds will be variable (N to W/SW to N/NW) but only light at around 5 to 10 knots.
Sunday will then see the offshore SW winds return, but they will only be light at around 5 to 10 knots.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been a little mixed this past week – just like the weather – with reasonably calm conditions through the early mornings that then became choppy and slightly sloppy during the day as the onshore winds developed.
The coming days are also going to provide mixed swimming conditions because of the shifting winds, with today probably providing the choppiest conditions, before the ocean improves quickly across the weekend.
Today’s northerly winds will mean that the best beaches for swimmers will certainly be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach, due to their protection from these winds.
However, the weekend should provide much calmer and much better conditions for swimmers due to the light and variable winds.
All beaches will be fantastic for swimmers on Sunday, and the same should be the case tomorrow as well, although Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads may be slightly better tomorrow too.
Hit the beach in the early morning, or again around mid- afternoon to find the best conditions. Please check with the 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
WEEKDAYS – 9 am to 5 pm at Agnes Water only
SATURDAY and SUNDAY – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Surfing
This past week threw up plenty of small, clean fun waves on Sunday into Monday, before we had a real lull for a couple of days, but things have been on the improve since about Wednesday afternoon – and yesterday provided plenty of super-fun waves to enjoy.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, we should continue to see more fun-sized waves for at least today and tomorrow, but the biggest issue will be the changing winds.
Today’s winds are expected to be from the E/NE, so perhaps consider trying Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads today and even tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow brings variable and light winds, before cooler SW winds return on Sunday, so for the weekend the better options may be Agnes Water, Mon Repos, Moore Park, and Nielson Park, with early mornings perhaps being the better time of day – but don’t write off mid-afternoon onwards as well.
Good luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, it will be difficult to predict the best time with the shifting and variable winds.
Maybe a north to south run today while the winds are northerly?
For those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle, the weekend should be great for hitting the beaches while the winds are light and offshore – you may even find some clean, fun waves tomorrow.
EVENTS: Nil.
