Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (issued on Mon 6th March)

This week and next week (Mar6-Mar17)

Central QLD: Few small windows ahead with a better outlook next week

A slight slowing of TC Judy over the weekend has delivered some better than expected 1-2ft surf today with E/SE winds.

The synoptic set-up is split into two opposing camps at present with an active monsoon trough and monsoonal low in the Gulf of Carpentaria linked to an inland trough which is drawing down hot air from the Pilbara into NSW. Opposed to the strong tropical signal we have a large complex low pressure gyre approaching from the Southern Ocean, with a cold signal expected to just spread into temperate NSW.

Across the Coral Sea we’ll see a slight increase in tradewinds around a broad E’ly dip near New Caledonia which will perk wave heights up through Wed into the 1-2ft range, albeit with N’ly winds.

Size then eases back later this week and into the weekend as Tradewinds fail in the CS. 

Another small trough may perk up E’ly winds in the Central CS and see a small boost in surf for Sat, back to the 1-1.5ft range.

We should see a more significant increase in size by mid next week as a large high moves into the Tasman and interacts with a long monsoon trough extending through the Coral Sea into the South Pacific. That should see E’ly winds increase in the area SE of New Caledonia next week and surf build into the 1-2ft range through Tues, bigger 2ft from Wed at exposed breaks on the Burnett Coast. Smaller elsewhere.

Tradewinds increase in Coral Sea next week with a positive surf outlook

Check back Wed and we’ll have a fresh look at it.