Western Australian Surf Forecast (issued Wed 16th Apr)

Western Australia Surf Forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Wednesday 16th of April)

Best Days: Thursday morning in Perth, Friday for experienced surfers, Saturday morning, Sunday morning, Monday morning, Tuesday morning

Recap

Yesterday was average across most coasts with a small-moderate swell and freshening onshore winds.

Today a large SW groundswell has built across the state, reaching 6-8ft in the South West but with light onshore winds that have since tended variable, while Perth was a good 2ft, but fresh sea breezes have since spoilt the swell.

This week and weekend (Apr 16 – 21)

Today's increase in SW groundswell was linked to a strong mid-latitude frontal system pushing towards and across us yesterday. This system has moved off to the east and we'll see a drop in size through tomorrow.

Winds will unfortunately be onshore in the South West tomorrow, while Perth should see early SE winds, with less favourable S/SE breezes around Gero.

Of much greater importance is the large and oversized SW groundswell due on Friday. This swell will show late in the South West Thursday but a peak is still expected Friday morning with large 12-15ft waves at exposed breaks and much larger sets at offshore bommies.

Perth should see 3-4ft surf, while Gero is expected to reach 6-8ft at its peak. Satellite observations confirm that for the last few days, a broad fetch of severe-gale W/SW winds have been generated along the polar shelf, and the vigorous frontal system is now pushing up towards us while maintaining its strength.

The beauty about this system is that it will push east through the Bight tomorrow, allowing a high pressure ridge to fill in across the coast, swinging winds offshore from the E/SE as the swell peaks.

It's worth noting that this swell will only be for experienced boardriders, so if you have any doubts, stay safe on land.

The swell should ease noticeably through Friday afternoon with Saturday seeing smaller surf easing from 8ft+ in the South West, 3ft in Perth and 6ft+ up at Gero with less favourable SE winds.

A large reinforcing SW groundswell is due to fill in on Sunday and peak during the morning, generated by a much smaller but intense polar low tracking in behind the storm responsible for Friday's swell.

The South West should boost back to 6-8ft+ with 2-3ft waves in Perth and 4-6ft sets around Gero as winds persist from the SE. A drop in size is then due through Monday with fresh but slightly more favourable E/SE winds across Perth (persisting from the SE in Margs and Gero).

Next Tuesday onwards (Apr 22 onwards)

There's nothing too major on the cards for next week with a medium sized SW groundswell due mid-week but with unfavourable S/SE winds. Therefore make the most of the coming period of waves and check back here on Friday for the latest udpate.