Over the coming days expect gloomy skies and choppy swimming conditions, with weather starting to clear on Sunday.
Weather
Well, after a great day of weather on Monday it has all been pretty ordinary ever since, with moderate onshore winds, gloomy skies and plenty of showers of rain since about Tuesday.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, the forecast is not looking too much better either – although everything is dependant on that weather system inland of us and where it tracks – but at this stage it looks like more rain to come through until Saturday, before the sun starts to hopefully poke its head back out through Sunday, although showers are still likely.
The winds will remain moderate and onshore for today too, before easing back slightly tomorrow, and then even further by Sunday.
This morning’s winds will be from the E/SE at around 15 knots before they increase during the afternoon to be 15 to 20 knots from the E to E/NE.
Tomorrow will then bring N/NE to N/NW winds at around 15 knots, before Sunday brings us lighter NW to W/NW winds at around 10+ knots only.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been much like the weather this past week once again, with glorious swimming conditions on Monday that were soon replaced by choppy and slightly messy conditions since Tuesday.
Swimming conditions will remain quite choppy and messy through today, especially on those open and exposed beaches, but they should start to improve across the weekend as the winds start to ease gradually – Sunday, in particular, will likely be the best day for swimmers.
The winds will swing from the north across the weekend too, so keep in mind those beaches exposed to the northerly winds will be slightly choppier than others.
There will be plenty of water movement about the beaches over the coming days due to the large new moon high tides, combined with a little bit of wave action, so please swim with caution and avoid the creek and river mouths during the run-out phase of the tide due to the strong tidal currents.
The best time for swimmers will be from early to mid-morning, whilst the best beaches today will be Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Moore Park and Hervey Bay, but across the weekend the better beaches will be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s 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
Today – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only.
Saturday – 9 am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water, 1 pm to 5pm 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
Local board-riders have still been enjoying plenty of fun-sized, but slightly messy and sloppy waves this week, and fingers crossed these waves will continue into today and then across the weekend as well – the only issue for the weekend will be the northerly winds, which normally don’t help too much!
The waves heights will drop slightly across the weekend too, but they should still be OK for the long boarders.
For today, head to beaches such as Agnes Water, Mon Repos, Moore Park and Nielson Park, but then across the weekend, Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads could be slightly better options with the northerly winds forecast. Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, there will be plenty of wind today for a south to north run this morning and then plenty of north to south fun tomorrow with the northerly wind change.
For those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle though, wait until Sunday morning when the wind eases and head to Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads.
Events
The 2025 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships will commence tomorrow at North Kirra Beach on the Gold Coast, continuing for 9 days, and ending on Sunday 6 April. Good luck to all local competitors attending and competing!!
The Agnes Water Longboard Classic has also commenced at Agnes Water Main Beach and will continue through until Sunday. Good luck to all competitors.
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