South Australian Forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Friday 2nd September)

Best Days: South Coast Sunday onwards, Mid Coast Sunday afternoon, Monday, Tuesday morning

Recap

A good strong long-period SW groundswell was seen most of yesterday across the South Coast to 3-4ft at Middleton with light offshores, giving into a very shallow onshore change before lunch, and remaining so into the afternoon. The Mid Coast was clean but an inconsistent 0.5-1ft.

Today the swell was back to 2-3ft at Middleton and a little lumpy with a more variable breeze, while the Mid had good clean 1ft surf.

This weekend and next week (Sep 3 - 9)

Tomorrow will be a low point in swell with easing 2ft waves at Middleton under a W/NW tending W/SW breeze. Waits would be the best option during the morning if you're keen.

The Mid Coast will be tiny and bumpy.

Our new long-range W/SW groundswell that's due to build Sunday will now be met also with a late increase in larger SW groundswell from the vigorous polar frontal progression that's starting to take place.

Currently a fetch of severe-gale W/NW winds are forming south-west of South Africa, pushing east towards us and likely reaching near the storm-force range through the coming 24 hours, weakening to our south tomorrow morning.

This will then be followed by a slightly weaker fetch of severe-gale W/NW winds on its tail, helping the longevity of the swell.

So during Sunday we should see Middleton building from 3ft through the morning to a stronger 4ft or so through the afternoon, if not larger late in the day. The Mid Coast should build to 2ft.

A peak is expected Monday morning with strong 4-5ft+ across Middleton with 2ft+ sets on the Mid Coast.

A slow drop in size is due through the day, further back from 4ft Tuesday morning at Middleton and 2ft on the Mid. Wednesday will be smaller again.

Winds on Sunday should be from the W/NW again through the morning, tending variable into the afternoon on the Mid, creating good conditions, and light SW down South.

Conditions early next week look excellent with N/NE tending variable winds both Monday and Tuesday, holding from the N/NE Wednesday.

Longer term we're looking at another large long-period SW groundswell for next weekend, but more on this Monday. Have a great weekend!