Massive winter storm yaddah yaddah...

surfstarved's picture
surfstarved started the topic in Thursday, 1 Jun 2017 at 3:35am

Call out to forecasters, professional or otherwise - what, if any, implications might this coming "massive winter storm" have for the Cloudbreak contest? If it continues on an easterly trajectory, could we be looking at some significant swell during the waiting period?
https://higginsstormchasing.com/massive-winter-storm-hit-australia-next-...

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Thursday, 1 Jun 2017 at 6:22am

These blokes have got clickbait wired for Social Media. Frustrating as hell as it often confuses the advice of official forecasts. And when their hype doesn't live up to expectations, every forecaster gets tarred with the same brush.

But anyway, they're talking about a polar outbreak (which I have also mentioned in my notes, with less hyperbole). However, these kinds of setups - IF they move into the Tasman - are not necessarily great for Fiji. Ideally, you want to see a strong frontal progression under Tasmania and into the Tasman Sea. 

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 2 Jun 2017 at 1:46pm

Surprise, surprise, this weather event has been significantly downgraded. But, Facebook is still flush with news stories/forecasts about it, including 50cm of snowfall in the alps.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 2 Jun 2017 at 1:48pm

As for Fiji's surf potential - the models are pointing towards an unfavourable synoptic setup as the developing Tasman Low will (1) be aimed away from Fiji, and (2) block the swell window, shunting Southern Ocean frontal activity away from Fiji's primary swell window.

evosurfer's picture
evosurfer's picture
evosurfer Friday, 2 Jun 2017 at 2:51pm

Well thats disappointing as theyre talking it up for Sunday and Monday

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 2 Jun 2017 at 2:57pm

Different system, different swell.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Friday, 2 Jun 2017 at 3:45pm

Latest model runs have removed the Tasman blockage! So Fiji swell potential has improved.

Amazing how much back-and-forth the outlook has been swinging over the last few days. 

curly2alex's picture
curly2alex's picture
curly2alex Sunday, 4 Jun 2017 at 11:12am

Click bait like this one ....

https://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/wild-winter-welcome-for-coast...

It's been under 1 foot all weekend