Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra Surf Forecast (Wed 15th Jan)

Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra Surf Forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Wednesday 15th)

Best Days: Thursday morning in protected northern corners, Sunday morning in protected southern corners, Tuesday morning

Recap

A small pulse of S'ly swell seen later Monday across south facing beaches held into Tuesday morning to an inconsistent 2ft with clean, glassy conditions. The swell eased into the afternoon as NE sea breezes kicked up.

Today a weak NE windswell has come in at 1-1.5ft across most open beaches and this should build into the afternoon as winds freshen from the NE again, but a long-range S'ly groundswell should also build to a very inconsistent 2-3ft at south facing beaches.

This week and weekend (Jan 16 -19)

This afternoon's increase in long-range S'ly groundswell should hold into tomorrow morning at an inconsistent 2-3ft across south facing beaches (above model forecasts). A slow drop in size is expected during the day though, while also in the mix will be small levels of NE windswell to 2ft across north-east facing beaches.

Winds will be less than perfect and moderate to fresh from the N/NE tending NE all day, while Friday should see the NE windswell continuing at 2ft with lighter winds from the N'th at dawn.

The weak but persistent northerly ridge responsible for the NE windswell will persist through Saturday and the NE windswell should continue at 2ft, with a touch more size into the afternoon.

A weak S'ly change on Sunday will kick the NE windswell in the guts, with a drop from 2ft expected during the morning.

Next week onwards (Dec 20 onwards)

An inconsistent and long-range S/SE groundswell is due on Monday, generated by a strong polar front pushing up into New Zealand later this week and this should offer 2ft+ waves across south facing beaches.

Into Tuesday some inconsistent E/NE groundswell is expected off Tropical Cyclone Dylan, but there won't be much size above 2-3ft, as Dylan moves too quickly south through the Coral Sea to generate any major size for us.

We'll review this again on Friday though.