Fading E/NE trade-swell. Good looking NE swell mid-week
Eastern Tasmania Surf Forecast by Guy Dixon (issued Friday 4th December)
Best Days: Saturday morning, Sunday morning and Wednesday morning.
Recap:
Inconsistent east/northeasterly trade energy has been filling into our open beaches over the past few days, providing options in the 1-2ft range, although few and far between. Conditions have been clean each morning under a westerly airflow, before deteriorating each afternoon as winds tend onshore.
This weekend (Saturday 5th - Sunday 6th):
Distant east/northeasterly trade swell will peak late this afternoon and into Saturday morning, with open beaches picking up very inconsistent sets in the 2ft range. This trade energy is then expected to slowly fade throughout Sunday from the 1-2ft range.
Also in the mix will be a small amount of southerly energy generated by poorly aligned frontal activity, however the effects will be subtle for much of the weekend, only becoming noteworthy late on Sunday where south swell magnets could pick up 1-2ft peaks.
Light southerly breezes are on the forecast for Saturday morning, increasing into the afternoon causing conditions to deteriorate. Protected southern corners of the open beaches will be offering the best options, picking up the most size and handling the southerly airflow the best.
The morning session will be the best opportunity for a wave if Sunday is your only free day. Winds are expected to be light/variable, giving way to a light northeasterly seabreeze in the morning.
Next week (Monday 7th onward):
Virtually all swell sources are expected to fade into Monday with residual energy providing options in the 1ft+ range at most beaches. A northeasterly breeze is on the menu for most of the day - it’s looking like a fairly forgettable day.
Tuesday and Wednesday are looking much more dynamic with a pair of fresh swells on the cards.
A northeasterly fetch is likely to develop over eastern parts of Bass Strait and along the NSW south Coast late on Monday, persisting throughout Tuesday. This fetch of 25-30kt breezes is looking good for 3-5ft surf breaking across open beaches, likely peaking late on Tuesday/early Wednesday.Also in the mix will be a southerly groundswell generated deep in the southern ocean. South facing beaches are looking at 2-3ft options of this groundswell alone on Tuesday, fading on Wednesday.
Unfortunately, Tuesday is likely to be wind affected by northeasterly breezes associated with the swell generating fetch. As the afternoon progresses, these breezes should tend northerly and ease, possibly allowing for a low quality wave. South facing beaches will be much more workable.
Wednesday morning is looking much better however as winds swing northwesterly for the morning session. By this stage, the swell should still be sizey, so make the effort and get out there.