Gold Coast Weather: Wind gusts at 72m/h at Seaway before marathon

Forget about the rain — it’s set to be the wind which will be dampening plans for the 28,000 people hitting the city’s pavement for this weekends Gold Coast Marathon.

A windy weekend is tipped to put a dampener on the Gold Coast Marathon with beaches closed today and a warning to avoid them or risk being swept off your feet.

This morning, a Gold Coast City Council advisory says to avoid walking along the beach, especially with children as the “tidal surges are very strong and people may be swept off their feet”.

About 28,000 people are expected to descend on the city for the Gold Coast Marathon races tomorrow and Sunday.

There is a strong wind warning for today and tomorrow, with the strongest gust recorded at 70km/h at the Seaway about 6am today.

Gold Coast City Council has closed all Gold Coast beaches again today as hazardous conditions continue to lashing the coastline.

The Gold Coast not looking so “golden”. Photo: Glenn Hampson

GOLD COAST MARATHON 2019: KENNETH MUNGARA SAYS ‘I KNOW I HAVE WON’ FOURTH VICTORY

It is understood they are expected to remain closed tomorrow.

Weather bureau spokesman Michael Gray said the dangerous conditions were due to the high pressure systems in the Tasman Sea, bringing strong coastal south-easterly winds.

“There’s strong wind warning at the moment from Mackay down to the NSW border,” he said.

“Wind is blowing about 22 knots at the Seaway, which is about 40km/h.

“We are seeing waves about 2-3m onshore and about 3-4m offshore.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BULLETIN FOR $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS

Surfers take advantage of the huge swell at Snapper Rocks. Photo: Mike Batterham

“The strongest recording was 72km/h about 6.30am. Other parts on the exposed Coast across South East Queensland have seen occasional gusts up to 50-60km/h.”

There is only expected to be a small amount of rainfall today and tomorrow, estimated to measure about 2-5mm today and tomorrow, with about 1-3mm on Sunday.