Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Fri 14 Jan)

This week and next (Jan14– Jan21)

Central QLD: Easing tradewind swell over the weekend becoming marginal for most spots with better quality E/SE swell early next week for select exposed breaks.

The tradewind flow in the Coral Sea is beginning to break down with a period of small but rideable waves ranging from a just surfable 1ft to fun-sized 2ft now beginning to wane. Small amounts of E swell from TC Cody have also been in the mix. That will see size dip away over the weekend with exposed breaks dropping down into the 1-1.5ft range and less exposed spots becoming tiny/flat.

Small fun waves continue 

Tiny/flat surf continues into next week for most spots.

Ex TC Cody has now undergone extra-tropical transition and is classified as a storm force sub-tropical low. The low (Ex TC Cody) is drifting slowly south-southeastwards towards the North Island with an extensive swath of storm force (50knot) winds along the south-western flank. These storm forces winds are embedded in an expansive gale force wind field. The slowed movement and enlargement of the wind field as it approaches the North Island are on track to deliver more powerful long period E-E/SE swell, right on the edge of the Southern CQ swell window.

Swell shadowing from Fraser Island the the Southern Bunker group will block a lot of the swell but some sets in the 2ft range are expected Mon and into Tues at more exposed breaks on favourable tides. Light N to NE winds are expected Mon, tending to light E’ly breezes elsewhere. 

Don’t expect much away from the most exposed breaks with tiny/flat surf continuing.

Longer term and the tradewind flow is expected to rebuild in the Coral Sea later next week giving good odds that rideable surf will return by later next week.

Check back Mon and we’ll revise the timing on that.

Till then have a great weekend.