Extended forecast

Effective from: Mon 6 Feb '12, 08:45PM

Forecast prepared by Craig Brokensha
Next update Wed 8/2 5pm.

Previous day's summary:

The weekend started out fun with a small and inconsistent SW groundswell across the South Coast and light offshore winds. These gave way to afternoon sea breezes that backed off again into the late afternoon.

A gusty W/SW change started to push through on Sunday, which kicked up a stormy windswell across the Mid Coast into the afternoon, while the South Coast started out tiny, but increased also into the afternoon.

This windswell mixed in with a stronger new SW groundswell has persisted across both coasts today, coming in at 2ft across the Mid Coast and 3-4ft down South. Conditions remained average in the gulf, while Victor saw morning W/NW winds that have since tended gusty SW into this afternoon.

Swell events within the forecast period:

1) Reinforcing SW swell for tomorrow, easing Wednesday
A secondary reinforcing SW swell is expected across the state tomorrow, generated by a favourably tracking cold front up towards the south-east of the country during the weekend and into this morning. This should keep Middleton topped up with 3-4ft sets, with larger 3-5ft waves at Waits and Parsons tomorrow before fading late in the day and further Wednesday from 3ft and 4ft respectively. The Mid Coast should continue to offer 1-2ft waves tomorrow ahead of a drop to 1ft or so on Wednesday.

Winds tomorrow morning will be less than favourable during tomorrow morning with a SW'ly airstream that will ease during the day and tend S/SE late on the Mid. There's a slim chance for early W/NW winds around Victor tomorrow morning, but I wouldn't make the drive from Adelaide for this small window.

As the swell eases through Wednesday winds will tend SE'ly during the morning, creating clean waves on the Mid, while the South Coast will remain average.

2) Small S/SE windswell for Friday, persisting Saturday, easing Sunday
The South Coast should be kept active with a small peaky S/SE windswell on Friday and Saturday. This will be generated be a weak high pressure ridge moving across the state, setting up a persistent fetch of 20kt+ S/SE winds into the South Coast.

Small 2ft waves should be generated for Friday and Saturday before fading into Sunday. Winds will remain poor during this period with fresh S/SE tending S/SW winds Friday and SE tending S/SE winds Saturday. Lighter E'ly winds are likely on Sunday morning, but we'll have to confirm this on Wednesday.

Long term forecast (6+ days):
As touched on in the last update, there's nothing too significant on the cards for our state heading into early next week as a strong blocking ridge dominates our swell window. We may see a new SW swell for the middle of next week, but check back here on Wednesday for an update on this.