Coastal Waters Forecast for Northern Queensland

Issued at 3:05 pm EST on Saturday 26 May 2012

Please be aware

Wind gusts can be 40 percent stronger than the averages given here, and maximum waves may be up to twice the height

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Warning Summary at issue time

A Strong Wind Warning is current for waters between Lockhart River and Cairns.

Weather Situation

Fresh to strong S to SE winds prevail along the most of the Queensland east coast. A large high over southern Western Australia will intensify as it moves slowly east into the Great Australian Bight over the weekend, extending a firm ridge into Queensland.

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Peninsula Waters, Torres Strait to Cooktown:

A Strong Wind Warning is current.

Saturday until midnight: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots south of Lockhart River. Seas: 2.2 metres outside the reef, reaching 3 metres south of Lockhart River, and 1.7 to 2.2 metres inside the reef. Swell: SE 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Patchy rain and isolated showers, tending scattered in the north with isolated thunderstorms.

Sunday: Winds: SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots south of Lockhart River. Lighter winds inshore early. Seas: 2.2 metres outside the reef, reaching 3 metres south of Lockhart River, and 1.7 to 2.2 metres inside the reef. Swell: SE 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Patchy rain and isolated showers, tending scattered in the north with isolated thunderstorms.

Monday: Winds: SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots south of Lockhart River.

Tuesday: Winds: SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots south of Lockhart River.

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North Tropical Waters, Cooktown to Cardwell:

A Strong Wind Warning is current for waters north of Cairns.

Saturday until midnight: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots north of Cairns. Seas: 2.2 metres outside the reef, reaching 3 metres north of Cairns, and 1.7 to 2.2 metres inside the reef. Swell: E to SE 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Patchy rain.

Sunday: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots north of Cairns. Lighter winds close inshore early morning south of Cairns. Seas: 2.2 metres outside the reef, reaching 3 metres north of Cairns, and 1.7 to 2.2 metres inside the reef. Swell: E to SE 1.5 to 2 metres outside the reef. Patchy rain.

Monday: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots north of Cairns. Lighter winds close inshore early morning south of Cairns.

Tuesday: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots, reaching 25 to 30 knots north of Cairns. Lighter winds close inshore early morning south of Cairns

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Tropical Waters, Cardwell to Bowen:

Saturday until midnight: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots. Seas: 2.2 metres in open waters. Swell: E to SE 1.5 metres in open waters. Patchy rain.

Sunday: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots. Winds decreasing S to SE 15 to 20 knots inshore during the afternoon. Seas: 2.2 metres, decreasing to 1.7 metres in the afternoon. Swell: E to SE 1.5 metres in open waters. Patchy rain.

Monday: Winds: SE 15 to 20 knots, reaching 20 to 25 knots at times offshore.

Tuesday: Winds: SE 15 to 20 knots, reaching 20 to 25 knots at times offshore.

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Central Coast Waters, Bowen to St Lawrence:

Saturday until midnight: Winds: SW to SE 15 to 20 knots, reaching S to SE 20 to 25 knots north of Mackay. Seas: 1.7 to 2.2 metres. Swell: Less than 1.5 metres. Patchy rain.

Sunday: Winds: S to SE 15 to 20 knots, reaching 20 to 25 knots at times offshore. Seas: 1.7 to 2.2 metres. Swell: Less than 1.5 metres. Patchy rain, clearing.

Monday: Winds: S to SE 20 to 25 knots, decreasing to 15 to 20 knots in the afternoon.

Tuesday: Winds: SE 15 to 20 knots, reaching 20 to 25 knots at times offshore.

The next routine forecast will be issued at 4:35 am EST Sunday.

Northern Queensland Coastal Waters Forecast