Well, the winter weather pattern has disappeared quickly this week as we have seen a real mixed week of weather conditions.
Starting off with chilly but sunny weather on Monday, that was then followed up by very mild and even slightly warm temperatures since about Tuesday and then showers and rain from Wednesday.
Now as we look ahead to today and across the weekend, the weather conditions will remain a little mixed but the good news for beach goers is that whilst showers are still likely through today, they will become less likely across the weekend and the winds will be light and variable – whilst the temperatures remain very mild for this time of the year.
Today’s winds will be from the S/SE to E/SE at around 10 knots, before dropping to just under 10 knots from the E/SE tomorrow.
Sunday will then bring a change in wind direction, with light N/NE winds forecast at only 5+ knots.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have once again been pretty good for the swimmers – despite the rainy conditions yesterday and Wednesday, with mostly light winds and gentle ocean conditions for almost the entire week.
The good swimming conditions should also continue through the coming days with the winds expected to remain around 10 knots or less but because they will be onshore winds, there will be a bit of a bump and chop on the ocean surface.
The best time for swimmers will be either through the early mornings or again from early to mid-afternoon when the tide is high.
For today and tomorrow, the better options will be Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach and Moore Park Beach, whilst for Sunday the better options should be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach.
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.
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 has once again been mostly quiet in terms of waves across our local beaches but there has been a slight increase in wave heights throughout the week.
The waves are not big, in fact they are only around the half-metre size range, but they are big enough to provide some fun for those that have been wave-starved for the past two weeks or more.
Try the early mornings or again through the early afternoons today and tomorrow for best results at locations such as Agnes Water, Nielson Park Beach, Mon Repos or Moore Park Beach.
Sunday will bring a light northerly wind change, so maybe even consider Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads as viable options by then.
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, the wind forecast is not looking promising at any stage over the coming days with the wind not expected to get stronger than 10 knots.
But for those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle, you should be able to find slightly bumpy but reasonable conditions at the beach, with maybe even a small wave to enjoy as well.
