Eastern Tasmania Surf Forecast by Steve Shearer (issued Fri December 29th)

Features of the Forecast (tl;dr)

• Stronger S swells building later Sat, peaking Sun
• Easing S swells Mon
• Small S swells Tues/Wed
• Plenty of local S-S/SE swell expected Thurs/Fri as trough forms off Tas

Recap

Easing swells yesterday with leftover E swell to 3ft, dropping through the day under light winds, tending mod/fresh S-SW. Today has seen new S swell to 2-3ft at S facing beaches and N-NE winds in advance of a front. 

This weekend and next week (Dec 29 - Jan5)

No great change to the weekend f/cast with a weak front having passed the state and a stronger front about to sweep past the Island, bringing new S swell and W, tending SW winds through Sat. Expect size up into the 2-3ft range during the a’noon with small NE windswell in the mix during the morning, fading through the day. Fresh SW winds should tend S-S/SE late in the day and ease in strength.

NYE looks solid with the bulk of the mid period S swell filling in with size to 4-6ft, easing through the day and a W-SW flow that will lay down and tend variable in the a’noon. Definitely worth your attention to close out 2023.

Plenty of S swell over the weekend from this frontal system

Next week will see easing swells New Years Day with a few sets to 2ft easing and NE winds picking up through the day, possibly leading to small NE windswell to 1-1.5ft.

Small wind swells continue next week along with some small S swell wrap from a polar low and supporting fronts well below the state. We’ll see some small S swells Tues and Wed with the occ. 2ft set and light onshore winds.

Winds will tend S’ly and freshen later Wed into Thurs as a trough deepens off the NE Coast or Bass Strait, whipping up some small S swell to 2-3ft late Thurs into Fri before easing as the trough moves northwards.

We may see another S swell next weekend as a front passes under the state, but models are divergent at the moment so confidence is low on specifics.

Lets see how it looks Mon.

Until then have a great NYE weekend and see you in 2024!