South Australian Forecast (issued Friday 17th October)

Best Days: Saturday down South, early Sunday at exposed breaks down South, Monday on the Mid, Tuesday down South, Friday morning down South

Recap

Yesterday was OK across the South Coast during the morning with 3ft waves at Middleton under an offshore W/NW'ly while the Mid Coast was glassy and in the 1ft range before pulsing a little to 1-1.5ft through the afternoon.

Today a better S/SW groundswell has filled in down South with improving conditions under a straightening offshore wind offering plenty of options from Goolwa to Parsons. The Mid was tiny again but should pulse to 1-1.5ft with the incoming tide.

This weekend (Oct 18 -19)

Tomorrow is still looking great down South with today's S/SW groundswell expected to ease from 3ft+ at Middleton with 4-5ft sets at Waits and Parsons early under fresh but easing N'ly tending N/NW winds.

Sunday will be OK early but small with a light N/NW'ly ahead of a fresh S/SE change before lunch as a surface trough moves in from the west. Therefore it's probably not worth the drive from Adelaide, but good for a morning paddle if you're in the area.

Next week onwards (Oct 20 onwards)

Monday's pulse of long-range SW groundswell is still on track but winds are looking a little average across the South Coast with a fresh and gusty E/SE breeze, that may tend E'ly at times through the morning.

The Mid will be the pick of the region though with inconsistent but fun 1-2ft sets all day.

Tuesday will be the day to head South as winds veer around to the N/NE ahead of another approaching surface trough which is expected to move through early Wednesday bringing onshore winds back to both coasts.

Size wise, Middleton should ease from 3ft with 4ft+ waves at Waits, becoming small to tiny into Wednesday so make the most of it!

Thursday will be another day to miss as the swell starts off tiny with fresh SE winds. A new long-range SW groundswell similar to Monday's is due later in the day though, peaking Friday with a touch more size and power.

This will be related to the vigorous polar low generating the swell south-west of WA being stronger and more intense than the system that's generated Monday's swell.

We should see Middleton offering inconsistent 3-4ft waves with 5ft bombs at Waits while the Mid is expected to be in the similar 1ft to occasionally 2ft range.

Winds should swing back to the NE through the morning down South creating clean peaky surf, but we'll review this Monday. Have a great weekend!