South exposures early

Hello Friends,
Contrary to the Bureau’s forecast, wind was light westerly at 0730, so the surface conditions were smooth at spots picking up the dead south swell. The buoy data was showing average swell height at sea in the 3.5 metre range with periods around the 9 second mark. So, while there were some solid sets at south exposures, the period wasn’t long enough to see waves refracting into the protected corners.
On the morning run to Manly I stopped to watch the waves at North Steyne. As the pictures show, the surface conditions were still smooth at 0900. There were about 30 people chasing the rare makeable sections. Sets were head high, so the good ones looked pretty tasty. Worth rolling the dice and paddling out for a shot.
The wind should come around to the SE later, so the early smooth conditions aren’t likely to last at the spots exposed enough to pick up swell. Tide was high just before 0700 and is now dropping about a metre to the 0.5 m low at 1340.
There were big clear patches in the skies over the Northern Beaches at around 0800, but the weather call is for another cloudy day with a high of 23.
Go well and remember to check back later for the Goat’s thoughts about surf prospects for the weekend and beyond.

Weather Situation
A ridge of high pressure is extending throughout the New South Wales coast, in the wake of trough and associated strong southerly change which has crossed into Queensland. The high is expected to slowly move eastwards, reaching the Tasman Sea by the weekend.
Forecast for Thursday until midnight
Friday 22 March
Saturday 23 March