Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Fri 4th Feb)

This weekend and next week (Feb5-Feb 11)

Central QLD: Strong high pressure ridge sees surf build to rideable levels this weekend

Tiny surf should get a small boost this weekend as a strong synoptic pattern sets up. 

A monster high moving through the Bight is strengthening with the pressure gradient tightened along the entire ridge line by a low pressure trough with embedded low systems in it. The trough extends from the South Island New Zealand up to the monsoon trough across CapeYork Peninsula and into the Gulf of Carpenteria. This is seeing an incredibly long fetch of S/SE winds developing in tropical to temperate latitudes.

The whole blocking pattern is slow moving- the high is only just south ofTasmania by the end of the weekend- so the weekend wind forecast is essentially stable. Fresh /strong S to SE winds both days.

While the fetch isn’t ideally located for CQ, being too close to the coast and S’ly oriented , the sheer length of the fetch should see some rideable surf be whipped up for the weekend. 

Expect surf in the 1-2ft surf to build in Sat at exposed breaks, building a touch Sun as the fetch becomes slightly better oriented.

Size holds in Mon at similar levels.

Into next week and the high pressure ridge slackens as a large low pressure gyre with dual centres becomes activated. The southern low moves into the Tasman , with the high pressure being disrupted and local surf dropping off into the 0.5-1ft range through Tue, easing back to tiny for the rest of the week.

By next weekend another strong high pressure ridge is expected to build in, seeing surf heights push back into the 1-1.5ft range by Sat.

Check Mon for a fresh update and a have a great weekend!