Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Mon 14th Feb)

This week and next week (Feb14-Feb 25)

Central QLD: Tradewinds in the Coral Sea maintain rideable surf for the CQ coast this week.

Surf pushed up into the rideable range over the weekend and has remained here, mostly due to the supporting ridge of SE winds surrounding STC Dovi as it tracked southwards through the Tasman Sea over the weekend. 

Small but rideable

Dovi is long gone behind New Zealand now and we’re looking at a slightly more northwards located high pressure belt this week. Under the influence of the high pressure belt it’ll be a week of SE to E/SE’ly winds and a small blend of E’ly tradewind swell trains.

A slight E’ly dip perks up Tradewinds which should maintain status in the 20knot+ range over the next few days. These winds are well aimed at CQ and should hold surf in the 1-2ft range through the week.

By the weekend the dominant high pressure retracts E’wards, taking the tradewind belt with it and thus ushering in an easing trend across the CQ coast. Expect surf to drop down into the 1ft range over the weekend, at the marginal end of surf able.

Longer term and next week looks like a better week for fishing with surf staying small, as a weaker high pressure system tracks into the Tasman. The high looks to set up a weak blocking pattern next week, with models toying with the idea of another potential cyclone in the Coral Sea later next week. We’ll keep tabs on that and monitor for surf potential but at this stage it’s a way off in the distance, with only marginal, barely rideable surf expected next week.