Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Wed 6th Apr)

This week and next week (Apr6-Apr 15)

Central QLD: TC Fili supplies a great pulse for the region with plenty of waves over the weekend and into next week

Clean lines of swell from TC Fili

In the tropics, TC Fili (978hPa)is now moving SE to S/SE, roughly parallel with Grand Terre- the largest island of New Caledonia. TC Fili is expected to become slow moving as it becomes cradled by the peanut high, with a persistent fetch of E’ly winds supplying an extended run of swell from that direction. TC Fili’s initial WSW to SW movement generated a NE swell that is now supplying really fun surf in the 2-3ft range to the region and this is expected to continue through tomorrow.

A large peanut shaped high is expected to move into the Tasman through tomorrow and set up a blocking pattern through the Coral Sea. In addition to the tropical cyclone there is also a large trough of low pressure through the Central Coral sea which is accelerating wind speeds adjacent to the CQ coast and this will help maintain surf heights through the near term.

Surf from the E/NE cyclone swell holds in the 2-3ft range tomorrow with mod/fresh SE winds continuing. 

Through Fri and over the weekend we’ll see surf ease a notch but hold in the 2ft range with mod/fresh SE winds continuing.

Into next week and the cyclone slowly tracks Southwards, with easing surf expected. Monday maintains 2ft of surf but from there we will see surf easing through Tues/Wed, although it should stay at surfable heights. 

Into the medium term and a fresh high pressure ridge builds later next week with surf likely to push back up into the 2ft range or bigger by Friday next week.

Check back Fri for a fresh update.