Extended forecast

Effective from: Mon 6 Feb '12, 08:55PM

Forecast updated 6/2 5pm. Next update 8/2 5pm.
Forecast prepared by Steve Shearer.

Previous day's summary :

The weekend ran close to script with mod SW swell Sat and strong S to SSE flow that meant bumpy surface conditions at most spots. Size topped out at 4-5ft in the SW corner and graded smaller 3-4ft in the central west and 1ft in Perth.
Sunday was a very different story as a strong SW groundswell made landfall. This saw strong surf in the 8-10ft range at exposed reefs in the SW, grading smaller 3-5ft in Geraldton and 1-ft in Perth. Surface conditions were premium with light E'ly breezes.

Swell Events in this forecast

Small swells this week.

The west coast is in an easing phase after Sun/Mons swell and with the Indian ocean in an inactive phase surf is expected to hover in the 2ft range during the rest of the working week. A small low currently passing 100E is expected to supply a small bump Thursday but the majority of the size comes in the night. Offshore winds from the combination of a high in the bight and trough lying along the west coast.

Small SW pulse Sat/Sun.

A moderate strength low tracks between 50-60S during Wed/Thurs with a broad band of low end gales developing seas to 20ft. The low continues to hug the ice shelf with the fetch decreasing in strength during Thursday as it gets closest to the WA SW corner. Small surf from this source is expected to build during Sat into the 2ft+ range with slightly larger 2-3ft surf on Sun. Winds remain offshore in the SW corner with SSW winds expected in the central west.

Longer Term Forecast (6+days)

Pressure gradients remain below average during the latter part of this week under current modelling with only weak low pressure expected to pass SE of Africa on the weekend before tracking away to the SE. Based on this broadscale pattern we're expecting only small background SW swell into the medium term. Check back Wed because long range models are subject to serious revision.