Synoptic weather patterns and wave conditions, Surfers Paradise Beach, south-eastern Queensland, 1988

Abstract

Wave conditions experienced along the beaches of south‐eastern Australia are controlled by winds generated by synoptic scale weather systems over the Tasman and Coral Seas. A synoptic climatological approach provides a framework to establish relationships between these synoptic weather map patterns and daily wave conditions recorded at Surfers Paradise beach. This establishes frequently recurring synoptic weather map patterns (synoptic types) and wave conditions at Surfers Paradise associated with each type. Eight synoptic types, differentiated by isobar orientation and pressure gradient, are identified for a 12 month period. Moderate wave power conditions occurred most frequently and were produced by two anticyclonic types. Less frequent, low wave power conditions were produced by synoptic types with offshore, south‐west to westerly surface airflow over the southern Coral and northern Tasman Seas. Synoptic situations dominated by a tropical cyclone or extra‐tropical cyclone produced the highest, but least frequent wave power conditions. The results indicated that the synoptic climatological approach provides a viable framework to establish and examine links between weather systems and wave conditions.