Extended forecast

Effective from: Fri 3 Feb '12, 06:56PM

Forecast updated 3/2 5pm. Next update 6/2 5pm.
Forecast prepared by Steve Shearer.

Previous day's summary :

There's been some interesting surf along the west coast as swell trains from the NW/WNW generated by TC Iggy and SW swell from the southern ocean combine. Yesterday saw small surf in the morning but by the a'noon surf had built strongly across the west coast with sets at some SW spots in the 6-8ft range. Most spots were considerably smaller.
This morning has seen size ease back with a mix of NW/SW swell in the 4-5ft range in the SW corner and fresh SE winds. Surf was a mess in the central west with 4-5ft surf and fresh onshore winds. Surf was 1-2ft in Perth with fresh SSE winds and low quality surf.

Swell Events in this forecast

SW swell pulse Fri/easing into Sat

A low is currently tracking well to the SW of Heard island with seas in excess of 20ft being generated by a wide band of SW gales with embedded cold fronts tracking underneath a strong high in the central Indian Ocean. Swell from this source is expected to arrive Fri in the 3-4ft range with residual energy holding into Sat in the 3ft range. Winds are expected to be fresh offshore Fri as the remnants of TC Iggy become absorbed into a west coast heat trough. These winds should tend more S/SE on Sat.

Strong SW pulse Sun.

Following closely behind the previous system a deep low flares up on Wed with a fetch of gales to severe gales sandwiched between the deep low and strong high as the fetch generates seas in excess of 30ft and large open ocean swells as it tracks between 70 and 100E. This system is expected to generate a strong SW swell with size in the 6-8ft+ range arriving during Sun morning. Offshore winds are expected to supply premium surface conditions.

Longer Term Forecast (6+days)

The strong high moving across the Indian Ocean blocks swell producing systems from late this week with a long band of W to WNW winds expected to develop SE of Africa early next week. This briefly flares up near 60S as it tracks under Heard Island with seas to 20+ feet expected Mon/Tues. This should see small SW swell arrive /Fri next week. Small, weak low pressure is expected in the Indian ocean next week suggesting a quiet phase with small surf expected into the medium term. Small fetches generated by weak storms in the vicinity of Heard Island next week suggest continuing small pulses into next weekend and beyond. Have a great weekend and check back Mon.