Craig Holden warns residents should be prepared for another weekend of warm, humid and slightly windy conditions.
Weather: warm, humid conditions
Well, I trust that everyone is recovered from the Christmas Day-Boxing Day festivities and that you are all ready to head on into another weekend of warm, humid and slightly windy conditions.
Temperatures have climbed back into the 30s this week and they look set to soar to at least 32 degrees across the coming days, with more blue skies and sunshine on the forecast.
After a sensational day of weather and beach conditions on Boxing Day, we should again see more of the same Friday with light (5 to 10 knots) N/NE to N winds forecast for most of the day before we see an afternoon sea breeze develop at around 10 to 15 knots.
Saturday will then bring windier conditions, with moderate N/NW to N winds expected at 15 to 20 knots.
Sunday will then be quite similar with more N/NW to N winds forecast at around 15 knots.
Swimming: choppy, messy beach conditions
Swimming conditions were a little all over the place during this past week, but they have once again settled down to be quite gentle and very favourable for swimmers throughout Boxing Day – and they should once again be very good through today (Friday) as well.
But, for the weekend, we can expect moderate N/NW winds to develop, which will bring quite choppy and messy conditions for those beaches that face more in a northerly direction, along with a side sweep running from north to south along these beaches as well.
The best time for a swim will be through the very early mornings when the tide is high and the winds slightly lighter.
The best beaches for swimmers will definitely be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach throughout the next 3 or 4 days, but for this morning, all beaches will be quite good thanks to the very light winds.
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
WEEKDAYS – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, PLUS a Rove Lifeguard in the Bundaberg Region.
WEEKENDS & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, PLUS a Rove Lifeguard in the Bundaberg Region
[Note: These are minimum patrol times – some beaches may have longer hours]
Surfing
This past week has provided a few opportunities to get out and find some clean, fun waves to enjoy, but you have had to find the right stage of the tide at the right beaches to maximise the fun!
However, as per usual, the waves are expected to drop out very quickly through today and across the weekend as the northerly winds return.
The forecast does not appear to hold much hope for board-riders, but once the NW winds increase across the weekend, you could consider a look at Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads in the hope of finding a small, clean longboard or SUP wave to enjoy. Good Luck!
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, the weekend will provide plenty of opportunities to grab a super-fast north to south downwind paddle while the NW winds are blowing. For those chasing a more relaxed and gentle paddle, get out into the ocean early this morning around Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads for some great paddling conditions.
