SURF FORECAST

A NEW tropical cyclone will move within close range of the southern Queensland coast today, generating a strong building trend in short-range ESE swell throughout the day; peaking throughout Thursday morning under strong SSW to SSE winds.

TODAY

Easing ESE groundswell generated by TC Hola reinforced by rising, short range E cyclone-swell. Initially ranging from 3 to 4ft+ exposed breaks, building towards a junky 4 to 6ft+ during the afternoon. Wrapping at anywhere from 2 to 4ft inside the points and bays early, bigger later. WIND: Early lighter SSW to SSE inshore, tending SE 15 to 25 knots freshening to 20 to 30 knots.

TOMORROW

Low confidence owing to model divergence. Potential for large, chaotic ESE swell peaking around 5 to 8ft exposed breaks, wrapping at 3 to 6ft inside the points and bays before easing a foot or two during the afternoon. WIND: Model divergence. SSW to SSE 20 to 30 knots, possibly S 25 to 35 knots.

FRIDAY

Easing SE swell. Ranging from 3 to 4ft+ exposed breaks, wrapping at 2 to 4ft inside the points and bays and easing during the day. WIND: Uncertainty owing to model divergence. Potentially lighter SW to SSW inshore tending SSE to 15 to 20 knots.

SATURDAY

Potential for smaller leftover ESE/SE tradewind swell. Speculatively 2 to 3ft+ across exposed QLD breaks, wrapping in at 1 to 3ft inside the points and bays. Directional, long S groundswell shows across northern NSW coasts during the afternoon at 3 to 5ft. WIND: Lighter SW/SSW inshore tending SSE 10 to 20 knots.

SUNDAY

ESE tradewind swell around 2ft+ exposed open breaks. Mixing with larger S groundswell at 2 to 4ft northern NSW exposed breaks and wrapping at lower levels inside the points. WIND: Early light and variable tending ESE to ENE 5 to 15 knots.