Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Mon 9th May)

This week and next week (May9-20)

Central QLD: Solid surf ahead as surface low drifts down through swell window.

Lots of fun waves over the weekend and through today with plenty more to come some of it sizeable.

Plenty more to come this week, much bigger though

Fairly wild week ahead, with the event now looking more focussed on CQ and SEQLD. A large high is now moving into the Tasman Sea and strengthening- that will be the main synoptic feature this week- setting up a deep ridge and a strong E’ly pattern through the Coral Sea. Further north an interior upper trough and potential coastal trough/surface low will combine to drive an intense E/NE to NE wind flow through the Coral and Northern Tasman Sea, generating a large swell for the CQ coast.

This strong and direct E’ly pattern through the Coral Sea starts to build surf through Tues,as E to E/SE winds freshen. Expect size to build into the 3ft range on Tues, becoming larger 3-4ft on Wed.

A surface low then forms off the CQ coast Thurs, generating large swells as the E/NE gales force infeed aims up at the CQ coast. Expect surf to build into the 5-6ft range, with gusty E/NE winds making a mess of surface conditions.

Friday looks potentially all-time as the low drifts south to be off the NE tip of Fraser Island. That will see solid surf in the 5-6ft range with winds tending S through the day, offshore at the Points.

Epic looking chart for CQ

Into the weekend and it looks like one to remember as the low slowly dissipates with light S’ly winds expected and solid surf. Saturday should stay in the 4-5ft range, easing back into the 3-4ft range during Sunday.

Next week sees surf ease right back with a few leftovers Mon, becoming tiny Tues/Wed.

We will keep our eyes on a new ridge building later next week with potential for another round of trade wind-style surf.

Check back Wed for the latest.

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