Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (updated on Fri 12th May)

This weekend and next week (May 12-May19)

Central QLD: Stronger surf into the weekend and next week

A strong reinforcing cold front is now almost across the Tasman with a large (1031hPa) high moving across from the Bight and already setting up a ridge along the QLD Coast. High pressure moves into the Tasman as we end the week with a dominant role into next week as tradewinds develop in the Coral Sea, with a good surf pattern expected for CQ.

More of the same tomorrow with just minor levels of long range E swell only showing the odd 1-1.5ft wave on lower tides.

With the high pressure ridge set up we’ll see increasing SE-ESE winds in the Coral Sea and building surf across CQ from Fri. Expect mod/fresh S winds and surf building into the 1-2ft range on Fri and extending at that size or a notch above into the weekend.

Winds strengthen and the fetch extends into the Southern Coral Sea over the weekend with another increase in size expected early next week, up into the 2-3ft range at exposed breaks. This size should extend through Mon/Tues before the ridge breaks down as a trough forms off the SEQLD Coast.

Following that we’ll see easing swells into Wed with tiny surf into the end of next week. 

Check back Fri for the latest and a last look at the weekend.

Fri Update: No change to the outlook, tradewinds in the Coral Sea are now developing with a good-looking surf pattern for CQ. We'll see surf push up into the 2-3ft range over Sat into Sun and extend into next week, easing off Tues.

Check back Mon for the latest and have a great weekend!