View the current warnings for Queensland
Forecast issued at 3:00 pm EST on Thursday 14 May 2026.
Weather Situation
A firm ridge extends over the northern Queensland waters from a large high [1041 hPa] near New Zealand. The ridge will remain in place over coming days while gradually weakening as the high slowly moves eastwards.
Forecast for Thursday until midnight
- Winds
- Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots, reaching up to 25 knots north of Cairns during the afternoon and evening.
- Seas
- 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres north of Cairns.
- Swell
- Southeasterly 1 to 2 metres outside the reef.
- Weather
- Cloudy. 70% chance of showers.
Friday 15 May
- Winds
- Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots, reaching up to 25 knots north of Cairns during the late afternoon.
- Seas
- 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres north of Cairns.
- Swell
- Southeasterly 1 to 2 metres outside the reef.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers.
Saturday 16 May
- Winds
- Southeasterly 15 to 25 knots.
- Seas
- 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon.
- Swell
- East to southeasterly 1 to 2 metres outside the reef, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres by early evening.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 60% chance of showers.
Sunday 17 May
- Winds
- Southeasterly 15 to 20 knots.
- Seas
- Around 1 metre, increasing to 1 to 1.5 metres north of Cairns.
- Swell
- East to southeasterly 1 to 1.5 metres outside the reef, decreasing to around 1 metre during the evening.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 50% chance of showers.
Please be awareWind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.
Nearby Coastal Waters
- See detailed wind and wave forecasts on MetEye
- This forecast is also available via scheduled broadcasts on marine radio.
- Latest Coastal Observations
- Tide Predictions
- Marine Knowledge Centre - explanations and definitions
The next routine forecast will be issued at 9:00 pm EST Thursday.
Product IDQ11304