Hello Friends,
Swell dropped quite a bit overnight, confounding predictions, sadly.
There were people in the water at Northy, No Man’s and Dee Why, but despite the beautifully clean surface conditions thanks to a light offshore, waves were struggling to be much above knee high in the tide-affected conditions.
Yesterday evening it was around the 1.7 metre mark, but at 0300 it was only 0.7 m from the south by SSE with a period of 10 seconds. Tide was high at 0625 and will be back to low again at 1305. As of 0630, wind was westerly at about 10 kts under mostly clear skies.
The Bureau tells us they’re expecting the swell to ramp up from the south by this afternoon, when they expect it to be into the 2-3 metre range (and they’ve issued a warning accordingly). Wind’s supposed to go around to the SE at about the same time as the swell kicks in, so just maybe there’ll be a reasonable sweet spot around low tide.
Tomorrow is shaping to be cloudy with a good chance of the odd spot of rain and southerlies. Swell’s supposed to cog down a notch or two as well. The good thing is that indications are that it won’t be flat, thanks to steady supply of 2 metre or thereabout 10-sec south swell.
From the models, the front half of next week looks to be cloudy with the occasional shower. Winds on Monday and Tuesday could be SW in the morning and then more SE to southerly in the afternoons.
Weather Situation
A high pressure system in the Bight is extending a ridge into New South Wale in the wake of a cold front. This high is expected to maintain a ridge over coastal parts for the next few days as it drifts slowly east, likely reaching the Tasman Sea early in the new week. As a result, coastal winds should remain generally southerly through this period.
Forecast for Saturday until midnight
Winds
Southwesterly 15 to 20 knots, turning south to southeasterly in the afternoon and evening
Seas
1 to 2 metres.
Swell
Southerly 1 to 2 metres, increasing to 2 to 3 metres during the afternoon and evening.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 40% chance of showers.
Caution
Large and powerful surf conditions in the afternoon and evening are expected to be hazardous for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.
Sunday 20 March
Winds
South to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots.
Seas
1 to 1.5 metres.
Swell
Southerly 2 to 3 metres.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 70% chance of showers.
Monday 21 March
Winds
Southeasterly 10 to 15 knots tending southerly 15 to 20 knots during the morning.
Seas
Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon or evening.
Swell
Southerly 2 metres.
Weather
Cloudy. 60% chance of showers.
