Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra Surf Forecast (Mon 9th Dec)

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Craig started the topic in Monday, 9 Dec 2013 at 12:10pm

Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra Surf Forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Monday 9th December)

Best Days: Tuesday morning, Wednesday morning at swell magnets

Recap

A strong pulse of S'ly swell peaked Saturday morning across the coast with varying size depending on where you surfed. South facing beaches were mainly in the 4-6ft range, while swell magnets and offshore bommies offered solid 8ft sets. Conditions were clean and glassy for most of the morning before fresh E'ly sea breezes kicked in.

A secondary pulse of S/SE groundswell filled in late across the Southern NSW coast and peaked Sunday morning, continuing to offer large 6ft sets across most south facing beaches with much bigger bombs at swell magnets. The large period of the swell resulted in a big difference in wave heights between seemingly similar spots open to the swell, with particular reefs focussing in the swell, while others completely missed out.

Conditions were OK early with light variable winds, but strong NE sea breezes quickly developed during the day.

Today the S/SE groundswell was still strong, coming in at 4ft across south facing beaches, and a smaller 2-3ft at open locations with a light offshore NW breeze. The swell will continue to fade during the day as fresh NE sea breezes kick in.

This week (Dec 9 - 13)

Make the most of tomorrow as there's nothing major on the cards for the coming period!

NE windswell will override the easing S/SE groundswell tomorrow, generated by a strong northerly ridge forming down the coast this afternoon and evening. North-east facing beaches should peak at 2-3ft early tomorrow before easing rapidly during the day.

Winds will tend light offshore during the morning from the W/NW ahead of a shallow change, but the early morning will probably still be lumpy and wobbly. E/SE sea breezes will spoil things into the afternoon.

Come Wednesday the NE windswell will be all but gone, but distant levels of S/SE groundswell should keep inconsistent 1-2ft sets hitting south facing beaches before fading into Thursday.

This weekend (Dec 14 onwards)

The weekend won't consistent of much swell with a weak NE windswell not expected to top 1-2ft. Beyond this there's nothing major on the cards, so make the most of the current swell and tomorrow's NE windswell.