SE Qld Weekend Coastal Weather Outlook
This outlook is compiled every Thursday around 5:00pm and is based on the latest available weather information. Things can change so for daily conditions check our weather pages and surf and beach report
- Issued at 5.15pm 2nd May for 4th, 5th & 6th May 2024
Charts: The charts are indicating that on Saturday, there’ll be a large high pressure system centred near Tasmania extending a ridge along the Qld Coast, which will generate moderate to fresh E/SE winds. On Sunday, the charts indicate the centre of the high could slip back westward and be centred over the eastern Great Australian Bight, which should decrease the ridge along the coast and the winds should ease to be light to moderate E/SE in the morning and light SE in the afternoon. On Monday centre of the high looks likes moving slowly east again, causing freshening S/SE winds. There’s also a trough laying very close to the NSW and southern Qld coasts, which looks pretty stationery on Saturday and Sunday and moving off the coast on Monday. It will likely trigger showers along the coast and have some effect on wind speed and direction.
SE Qld Weather Outlook: The BOM forecasts are saying there’s a high chance of showers all weekend.
Offshore warers: On Saturday, winds in offshore waters north of Cape Moreton should be 15-20kts E/SE during the day, turning Easterly at 10-15kts during the evening and for offshore waters south of Cape Moreton, the wind forecast is for 10-15kts E/SE during the day and easing to 10kts in the evening
On Sunday, the forecast for offshore waters north of Cape Moreton is for 10-15kt E/SE in the morning, becoming SE at 10kts or less during the day. For offshore waters south of Cape Moreton the forecast is for light and variable winds, mostly S/SE
On Monday, it looks like light Southerly winds early, becoming S/SE and freshening during the day to 15-25kts
Moreton Bay: On Saturday, the forecast is for 15-20kts SE winds in the northern bay early in the morning and 10-15kts SE during the day, possibly easing to about 10kts in the evening. Winds should be lighter SW/SE inshore early
On Sunday, the forecast is for S/SE winds at 10kts or less. There should light S/SW land breezes inshore early
On Monday, the forecast is for 15-20kt SE winds, with lighter SW/SE winds inshore early
It should be noted that things can change, so it’s always a good idea to check the latest forecasts before enjoying coastal activities
Tides & Moon: It’ll be new moon next Wednesday night, so tidal differences are increasing over the next week. On the weekend, there’ll be early morning and early evening highs and lows in the middle of day. Click this link for precise tide times and heights at various locations
Swell & Coastal Bars: There’s been a 2m plus S/SE swell in offshore waters, which might decrease a bit over the weekend. It’s much smaller as it refracts onto the coast and more E/SE. Expect the swell on the coastal bars to be about 1m E/SE, with possible bigger set waves. As always, take care crossing bars, particularly on the ebb tides when the water running out through narrow bar channels can create pressure waves, which are bigger than swell size and break unpredictably
Pic below Noosa Bar Monday thanks to Around Noosa https://www.facebook.com/aroundnoosa
Sailing: Based on the weather predictions, showers are expected on all three days, so it’ll be a good idea to take wet weather gear. It looks like good wind for sailing on Saturday and very light winds on Sunday, freshening again on Monday.
Boating: In offshore waters, it looks like being pretty lumpy in offshore waters on Saturday and good conditions on Sunday, before lumping up again on Monday if the wind freshens as forecast. Showers are expected
In open Moreton Bay waters, on Saturday, seas should be very choppy and not ideal for small boats. On Sunday, if the winds ease as forecast conditions should be good and on On Monday, with the prediction of freshening S/SE winds, it looks like seas will once again become very choppy and not ideal for small boats
As usual, the best cruising and anchorages will be in the sheltered waters from Caloundra to Donnybrook in Pumicestone Passage, the southern bay from Peel Island to the northern parts of Southport Broadwater and in the rivers and creeks.
Fishing: Based on the forecasts, on Saturday, it’s looking like conditions will be a bit rough for fishing in offshore and open bay waters in small boats. On Sunday, if the winds ease as predicted, conditions should be good. On Monday, it looks like S/SE winds will freshen and it will be too rough for fishing in offshore and open Moreton Bay waters in small boats.
The best fishing conditions in fresh to strong winds, are in the sheltered waters in Pumicestone Passage and in the southern bay and the rivers and creeks. Showers are likely so take wet weather gear.
To help you plan your weekend angling, the latest SE Qld Fishing Report is published on the Coastwatch web site every Thursday afternoon
Pic Below – Dave Granville – Spanish Mackerel caught off Caloundra Tuesday – from Caloundra Fishing World https://www.facebook.com/caloundrafishingworld
Surf: Based on the weather and swell predictions, expect the swell to be about 1-1.2m E/SE on the northern ends of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and along the Tweed Coast. It should be 0.75-1m E/SE in the bays on the northern side of the headlands. Given the forecast winds, the cleanest waves should be on the points and in those bays, but will be crowded. If the wind is light S/SW early in the mornings, there should be some less crowded beach breaks on the open beaches. You can check the latest surf conditions with the daily Surf Report published about 5.45 every morning
Beach: The weather outlook indicates showers, with sunny breaks, so a mixed bag for going to the beach. In the forecast for SE winds, the bays on the northern side of the headlands at Noosa, Mooloolaba, Burleigh, Kirra, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay will be the most pleasant places to be. There’s inshore holes and gutters, particularly on the open stretches of beach and on the ebb tides, any rips working around those features will be enhanced as the water drains off the beach, so swim in the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags. For the latest beach conditions, check our daily Beach Report published about 5.40 every morning
