Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Wed 12 Jan)

This week and next (Jan12 – Jan21)

Central QLD: Mix of tradewind swell and better quality E swell provides surfable waves for the rest of the week and into the weekend favouring exposed breaks.

A broad coverage of 20-25knot E to SE winds through the Central Coral sea is seeing some rideable waves across the region, a little under-called by wave models, with a few 2ft sets on offer.

Surfable on low tides

No change to this pattern over the next couple of days with short period tradewind swell holding size in the 1-1.5ft range across most of the region. Breaks with exposed access to the east will see better quality E swell through Thurs and Fri from TC Cody as it drifts south from Fiji towards the North Island. Expect some 3ft sets at favourable stages of the tide on the more exposed breaks, especially north of Bundaberg.

The trade flow breaks down on the weekend with winds tending light N’ly to NE’ly. More sheltered breaks on the Capricorn coast will go tiny/flat while exposed breaks will continue to see some 1-2ft sets.

Another pulse of longer period E/SE swell is expected to fill in Mon and Tues, although right on the edge of the open swell window with some swell shadowing expected from Fraser/Breaksea spit and the Southern edge of the Capricorn Channel Islands. Expect some 1-2ft sets on the exposed breaks of the region during Mon/Tues with light N’ly winds expected.

Longer term and Tradewinds are expected to rebuild in the Coral Sea later next week giving good odds that rideable surf will return by late next week after a couple of tiny/flat days mid next week.

Check back Fri for a full update.