Central QLD Forecaster Notes by Steve Shearer (updated on Mon Jan 27th)

This week and next week (Jan 27-Feb7)

Central QLD: Major surf pattern ahead

Small fun waves on offer now, more to come. Possibly very sizey.

Fun waves today, plenty more to come

A small low drifting off the NQ coast is supplying small fun waves at the moment and this continues into tomorrow before easing off into Wed as the low dissipates and moves Eastwards. 

We’ll see surf rebuild Sat as tradewinds establish in the Coral Sea under a complex monsoon trough.

Expect plenty of fun waves Sat and Sun.

Model runs have been all over the place next week as they struggle to resolve an active monsoon trough which extends out from Northern Australia across the Coral Sea and into the South Pacific Island chains. 

Multiple low pressure centres are possible along this monsoon trough line, including tropical cyclones. With a week lead time there’ll be lots of revision as we head into the event so keep in mind this is just a broad sketch of potentials. We’ll dial in details as we get more information and consistency between models and between model runs. 

We’ll see fun tradeswell continue early next week under current modelling as the supporting trade-wind field occupies the Coral Sea.  Depending on how our low pressure systems evolve we may see a few fun days of E’ly swell in the 4ft range through Tues and Wed, although there are scenarios were we get a much steeper increase during this period ( ie coast hugging low or tropical cyclone).

By Thurs we could be anywhere from 4-5ft E swell to 8-10ft cyclone swell depending on how the upcoming event plays out.

Check back Wed and we’ll see how it’s shaping up- it’s certainly a very late start but it looks like a significant summer swell event is becoming more likely. 

Seeya Wed.