South Australian Forecast (issued Wednesday 2nd September)

Best Days: Saturday, Sunday morning, Monday protected spots down South and the Mid for keen surfers, Tuesday morning both coasts, Wednesday onwards South Coast

Recap

Poor average onshore waves yesterday with a building windswell across both coasts. This morning the swell was easing with light and variable winds across both coasts, best on the Mid with tiny 1-1.5ft peelers.

This weekend and next week (Sep 5 – 11)

Tomorrow and Sunday are looking much better for a surf across the South Coast with tomorrow's mix of long-range SW groundswell and short-range SW swell due to offer good 3ft sets across Middleton with 4-5ft sets at Waits and Parsons under N/NE tending variable winds.

Come Sunday both swells will ease rapidly with dropping 2-3ft sets at Middleton and waves in the 4ft range at Waits under fresh to strong N/NW winds, swinging W'ly around midday.

This W'ly change will be linked to strong mid-latitude frontal system pushing in from the west, with it being upgraded in strength since Wednesday. This front should kick up an afternoon increase W/SW swell to 1-2ft on the Mid, with a peak due through Monday to a good 2-3ft.

The South Coast is due to see 2-3ft waves at Middleton and 4ft sets at Waits from this swell, but a stronger and inconsistent long-range SW groundswell is due to be larger.

This long-range swell has been generated the last few days by a vigorous polar frontal progression in the southern Indian Ocean, with it due to peak around 3-4ft at Middleton with 5-6ft sets at Waits and Parsons into the afternoon.

Moderate to fresh W/NW winds will favour protected spots on the South Coast, while the Mid Coast will be bumpy and best through the morning.

Into Tuesday the swell should be a similar size on the South Coast, easing through the day, with the Mid dropping from 2ft+ or so. Winds will remain from the W/NW to W/SW, favouring the South Coast, while the Mid will see lighter onshore winds, creating workable conditions.

Into the rest of the week, small to moderate pulses of SW swell are due to keep the South Coast active, from pre-frontal and less than favourably aligned activity swinging in from the Indian Ocean, under the country.

Conditions will also be favourable for these pulses with variable breezes Wednesday, tending offshore from Thursday.

Longer term there's some good signs for continued swell and favourable winds from Monday week, but check back here on Monday for the latest on this. Have a great weekend!