Well once again it has been a very mixed and non-Winter like week of weather across the local region, with a fantastic and warm start to the week on Sunday and Monday, before the rain arrived on Tuesday and then the gusty onshore winds followed from Wednesday.
As we look ahead to today and across the weekend, the forecast is suggesting more gusty onshore winds, along with the chance of showers (more likely on the weekend) and more mild to cool temperatures.
The winds for both today and tomorrow will be almost identical, with S/SE to E/SE winds forecast at 15 to 20 knots.
Sunday will then bring E/SE winds at around 20 knots, but they should then ease slightly through the late afternoon back to around 15 knots.
Swimming
Just like the weather, the swimming conditions started fantastically with great conditions on Sunday and Monday, and even for most of Tuesday, before the gusty onshore winds arrived from Wednesday and brought with them choppy and messy conditions, particularly on those more open and exposed beaches.
Unfortunately, the swimming conditions are going to much the same over the coming days as well – with choppy and messy conditions on the open and exposed beaches, but milder conditions on those beaches that offer some protection from the prevailing winds – think beaches located on the northern side of headlands.
The best time for swimmers will be from early to mid-morning while the tide is high and the winds hopefully a little lighter.
The better options for swimmers will be Hervey Bay and Agnes Water (southern pocket), whilst Nielson Park Beach and Moore Park Beach will be the better options locally.
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 seen a real change in surf conditions, with small, clean and glassy waves on Monday and into Tuesday morning, before an increase in wave heights started from about Wednesday onwards – but the waves have become quite messy, choppy and even a little sloppy depending on which beach you are at.
With the gusty onshore winds set to remain until at least Sunday, these messy, choppy and sloppy conditions will remain, but the wave heights should start to get a bit bigger as well.
Your best option will be Agnes Water over the coming days, but locally, you should be able to find some waves at Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach.
Try from early to late morning, or even again from mid to late afternoon.
Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, the ocean will be messy and sloppy, but there will be plenty of wind and runners for a slick south the north run over the coming days.
But for those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle, you will need to drive to Hervey Bay or head to the protected inland waterways.
