Eastern Tasmanian Surf Forecast by Steve Shearer (issued Fri Dec 31)

Features of the Forecast (tl;dr)

• Workable NE windswell Sat/Sun with N to NW winds
• Solid NE groundswell Tues-Wed as tropical low drifts south into Tasman Sea
• Strong E swell Thurs/Fri next week with onshore winds likely

Recap

Tiny surf has continued with only small levels of weak NE windswell in the 1-2ft range on offer since Wednesday. More swell is expected for the weekend. Details below. 

This week and next week (Dec 31-Jan7)

Fun NE windswell for New Years weekend.  

NE windswell still  on track to build tomorrow as high pressure in the Central Tasman builds a fetch of N’ly winds down the NSW South Coast, extending past Bass Strait. That swell is expected to get a little upgrade into the 3-4ft range tomorrow with fresh N’ly winds tending a notch more NW in the a’noon.

Plenty of leftover 3ft surf on Sun, easing during the day. Expect N to NW winds before a late S’ly change.

NE groundswell Tues-Wed

An intense sub-tropical low is expected to reach storm force Sun, spraying the entire East Coast with E/NE groundswell. Tasmania won’t miss out. E/NE swell in the 11-12 second period band is expected to fill in Tues in the 4-5ft range, easing through Wed after holding in the 3-4ft range in the morning. Winds will be tricky with a high in the Bight setting up a ridge of SE/ESE winds both days.

Chunky E swell Thurs-Fri with onshore winds

The remnants of the tropical low drift south and energise E’ly gales adjacent to the South Coast and extending S during Thurs. Proximity=size and with gales adjacent to the coast we will see a steep increase in short range E’ly swell Thurs, up into the 5-6ft range during the day. Winds will be strong onshore SE to ESE during this time. Solid E swell in the 5-6ft range holds Fri with winds tending more E/NE through the day. 

A slow roll off in size is expected Sat with a late W’ly change offering excellent prospects for surf as the swell settles.

Into next weekend and a front and S’ly change is expected to bring S’ly winds and a new S swell Sun.

More details and and a fresh update Mon.

Have a great NYE and see you in the New Year!