COASTAL WEATHER OUTLOOK for Weekend of 12th, 13th, 14th December 2025. Issued Thursday 11 December at 2pm.

Coastal Weather Report Thu 11 Dec 2025

Weekend Coastal Weather Outlook: December 12–14, 2025

By Josh Toohey, Coastwatch

As we head into the weekend along the South East Queensland and North East New South Wales coastline, conditions look mostly favorable for boating and beach activities—at least until late Sunday when storms may roll in.

Overview

A large high-pressure system in the Tasman Sea will dominate the weather pattern through Friday and Saturday, bringing onshore breezes and slightly elevated swell. While the system isn’t overly strong (around 1023 mb), its size ensures significant influence across the region.

Expect:

Relatively storm-free conditions until late Sunday.
Onshore winds and choppy seas Friday and Saturday.
Thunderstorm risk increasing Sunday afternoon and evening.

Friday (Dec 12)

Winds: East 10–15 knots, gusting up to 20–25 knots (Fraser & Sunshine Coasts).
Seas: Significant wave heights 1.5–2 m offshore.
Boating: Evening conditions may be unpleasant with chop.
Surf: Swell building, but easterly winds will make waves messy.

Saturday (Dec 13)

Morning: Light winds (5–10 knots), increasing to 15 knots by early afternoon.
Evening: Winds easing back to 10 knots; gusts up to 20 knots midday.
Swell: 1–1.5 m, short period (~8 sec).
Conditions: Slight improvement for boating Saturday night as winds swing NE to N.

Sunday (Dec 14)

Morning: Northerly winds 10–15 knots; gusts up to 25 knots near Gold Coast.
Afternoon: Gusts may reach 30 knots in NE NSW.
Thunderstorms: Risk rises after 2–3 PM, especially Scenic Rim, Border Ranges, and Gold Coast Hinterland.
- Severe storms possible: Localized gusts up to 40 knots.
Advice: Monitor radar and warnings closely; boating best in protected waters.

Tides

First High: 4–6 AM
Low: ~10 AM
Second High: 4–5 PM
Second Low: 10–11 PM

Looking Ahead

Early next week brings a southerly change Monday night into Tuesday, with gusts approaching 40 knots—plan accordingly for boating.

For live weather data, full charts and tide tables, visit the Coastwatch Weather Pages for your region.

WEATHER PODCAST

CYCLONES & SEVERE WEATHER : WITH JOSH TOOHEY, ANTHONY CORNELIUS & ROD FIGEUIREDO

A conversation on weather, cyclones and their recent and historic impact on our coastline. This Coastwatch podcast welcomes three expert guests, Anthony Cornelius, Josh Toohey and Rod Figeuiredo, and revisits the cyclone that surprised SE QLD in 2025, Tropical Cyclone Alfred, talking weather models and more.