Western Australia Surf Forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Monday 25th August)

Best Days: Later Tuesday in protected spots in the South West, Wednesday morning, early Thursday around Perth and Gero, Saturday morning

Recap

Friday afternoon's large and late kick in strong W/SW groundswell peaked a little later than expected across most spots, coming in solid early Saturday morning. Conditions were best around Perth and Gero though with E/NE-NE winds while Margs saw unfavourable N'ly winds.

The swell dropped further Sunday but remained in the medium to large size range with Perth performing the best.

Today the swell has hit a low point with unfavourable onshores around Margs, while Perth and Gero saw favourable E/NE winds through the morning.

This week (Aug 26 - 29)

The second of the large and powerful W/SW groundswells due across the state within a week is due to fill in tomorrow. Both these swells have been generated by strengthening polar frontal systems firing up as they feed off an amplification of the Long Wave Trough to our west.

The swell should fill in strongly through the early morning, reaching a peak through the early afternoon in the South West, later to the north with 10-12ft+ sets expected across most exposed breaks on the former, 3-4ft+ waves around Perth and 8ft+ bombs late up at Gero.

Conditions will be average as a weak trough clips the south of the state bringing a fresh SW change but winds will ease rapidly into the afternoon and swing more S/SW providing improving conditions in protected spots in the South West. Gero may see variable winds early before the S/SW'ly hits.

Wednesday morning looks the pick though as the large swell starts easing from 10ft to occasionally 12ft in the South West, 3-4ft in Perth and 6-8ft+ around Gero with morning E/NE winds around the first two and E/SE winds up at Gero. You'll have to make the most of the morning around Margs though as winds will swing to the NW and freshen into the afternoon.

Thursday unfortunately looks poor with strengthening NW winds across all coasts (NE early around Perth and Gero) due to an approaching front. This front will pass through overnight and behind it we should see a new large W/SW groundswell but with easing onshore SW winds on Friday.

This weekend onwards (August 30 onwards)

One final pulse of medium to large W/SW swell is due on Saturday before the node of the Long Wave Trough sitting to our south-west moves off to the east along with the frontal activity being steered up towards us.

This swell will be met with OK winds from the NE to NW favouring more exposed spots. Margs should be in the 6ft+ range while Perth should see 2ft to occasionally 3ft sets while Gero is due to come in at 4-5ft.

From here on the coast won't go flat but we'll see small background levels of SW groundswell with winds generally from the southern quadrant which is less than ideal. More on this Wednesday.