Gold & Sunshine Coast Report issued at 5.30am Thursday 4th April 2024

Weather Forecast: Gold Coast: Cloudy with a 90% chance of showers and storms and a top temperature of 26 degrees

Sunshine Coast: Partly cloudy with an 80% chance of showers and storms, most likely in the late afternoon and evening and a top temperature of 28 degrees

Wind: Forecast to be light and variable this morning, becoming 10-15kts Easterly during the day

Swell: 0.5m E/NE

Tides: Mooloolaba: High @ 4.27am & 4.49pm … Low @ 11.15am

Snapper Rocks: High @ 4.07am & 4.46pm … Low @ 10.59am

Best waves: The swell is tiny and there’s not much doing for surfers again today. The best chance of getting a few little waves will be on the beach breaks on the open beaches early while the wind is light and variable, but it’s not worth a long drive  

Best Beaches: Based on the weather forecast of showers and storms, it’s not looking like a good day for the beach on the Gold Coast. With less cloud and late showers and storms predicted, the Sunshine Coast will be the better option

The swell is small, but there’s deep holes and inshore gutters along the open stretches of beach and on the morning ebb tide, any rips and sweep working around those holes and gutters will be enhanced as the water drains off the beach. Make sure you swim in the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags

In Easterly winds, there’s always a chance of bluebottles being blown ashore. Check for them along the tide line before you go in the water, look for stinger warning signs in the patrolled areas, or ask the beach patrol if there’s been any around. If you are stung, seek medical assistance from the lifeguards