The powerful and massive Cyclone Yasin, a category 5 cyclone, is bearing down on the Queensland coast near Cairns. It is expected to hit around 10pm on the 2nd of February and to move inland as far as Mt Isa.

Cyclone Yasi is a powerful and dangerous storm and is generating waves up to 38 feet (11.5 meters) in the Coral Sea. The system is expected to continue to intensify. Winds are expected to be approach 300 kilometres an hour and a storm surge of 2.9 metres on top of a very high tide of about 4.1 metres is expected.

This is bigger than Cyclone Tracy, the most devastating storm in Australian history, and could cause even more widespread destruction than Tracey caused in Darwin. Cairns will be inundated.

Update 1
This is a monumental storm that poses an extremely serious threat to life and property within the warning area between Cairns and Townsville. Yasi could take at least 24 hours to weaken after it makes landfall.

There are reports that some people are going surfing. Others--storm chasing photographers-- see it as once in a lifetime experience.

Update 2
The latest tracking map from the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology. It’s expected to hit around midnight local time tonight. It is not expected that the cyclone will diminish in intensity. 6.6. metres waves hit Townsville this afternoon; now they are around 9.6 metres.