Charts: The charts and weather models are indicating that a strong high will be in the Tasman Sea this weekend, extending a firm ridge along the Qld Coast. There’s also a low near Vanuatu and the gradient between the two systems is what will cause fresh to strong SE winds on the weekend
Weather Saturday & Sunday: Both days look similar, with the charts indicating that the high is pretty much stationary and the low should move south. If it stays that way, we can expect SE winds of 20-25kts, gusting to 30kts in offshore waters, 20kts gusting to 25kts in open Moreton Bay waters and 15-20kts close inshore. As is usually the case in fresh to strong SE winds there should be showers
Sailing & Boating: Based on the weather predictions, there should be plenty of wind for sailing and boating conditions in offshore and open waters will be rough and very choppy to rough for small boats in the open parts of the bay.
The best cruising and anchorages will be in the more sheltered waters in the rivers and creeks and from Caloundra to Donnybrook in Pumicestone Passage and the southern bay from Peel Island to the northern parts of Southport Broadwater
Swell & Coastal Bars: The swell offshore is expected to be SE at about 2-2.5m and should be SE/E and smaller inshore and on the coastal bars. However, with rough conditions expected offshore, there’s not much point in crossing coastal bars
Tides: It’s new Moon on Sunday night, which means big tides. There’ll be morning highs and afternoon lows. Click this link for precise tide times and heights
Fishing: It’s looking like there won’t be suitable conditions for offshore fishing and it’ll be windy with a fair bit of sweep along the beaches, so the best options will be to fish the sheltered waters in rivers, creeks, estuaries and dams. You can get the latest SE Qld Fishing Report published every Thursday afternoon to help you plan your weekend fishing.
Surf: If you’re going surfing or to the beach, the swell should be about 2-2.5m SE and 2m in the bays on the northern side of the headlands at Noosa, Mooloolaba, Burleigh, Kirra, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay. In SE winds, the point breaks on those headlands have the cleanest conditions. Our daily Surf Report is published about 5.40 every morning
Beach: The bays on the north side of the headlands at Noosa, Mooloolaba, Burleigh, Kirra, Greenmount and Rainbow Bay will be the most pleasant and safest beaches this weekend. There will be a fair bit of water pushing around on the making tides. On the ebb tides, as the large volume of water drains off the beach, rips and sweep working around the inshore holes and gutters will be enhanced, so swim only in the patrolled areas marked by the red and yellow flags. Our daily Beach Report is published about 5.40 every morning
