Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Fri 20th Jan)

This weekend and next week (Jan20-Jan27)

Central QLD: Small fun surf from TC Freddy extends over the weekend

Rideable surf has been on every day, mostly in the 2ft range on the right tides as an active monsoon trough has generated plenty of swell producing wind in the swell window.

Fun on the right tide

No great change to the weekend f/cast. A monsoonal low and high pressure cell are maintaining a persistent SE-ESE onshore flow along the CQ coast. Activity in the tropics has been intense but short-lived with TC Irene forming between New Caledonia and Vanuatu, now downgraded back to sub-tropical storm status and racing away to the SE (the grave-yard) without being a significant swell producer for the East Coast.

In the Coral Sea a depression on the end of the Monsoon Trough  is organising with a high likelihood of forming a tropical cyclone (TC Freddy) - this is looking like a handy swell producer for the region although no real size is expected as the system weakens as the swell producing fetch moves into the swell window.

Expect continuing pulsey 2ft+ surf over the weekend with mod/fresh SE winds, easing a notch on Sun. 

By Mon we’ll see winds ease a notch as EX Tc Freddy moves away and to the SE, slowly easing as it does.

Mon will see some 2ft sets, becoming more inconsistent as the day goes on and by Tues we’ll see a noticeable easing in size.

Through the rest of next week surf will ease back to tiny levels under weak onshore winds. Tiny surf looks to extend at least through until next weekend 28/29 Jan so make the most of the current surf pattern.

Check back Mon and we’ll take a fresh look at it and in the meantime, have a great weekend!