Deluge predicted to ease across south-east Qld

Surf pounds the jetty at Main Beach/The Spit, Surfers Paradise, on July 23, 2008. - ABC

The steady rain that drenched most of south-east Queensland is expected to ease later today.

The weather bureau says the strong winds and high seas that battered the coast have moved offshore.

It says this week's stormy weather has dumped more than 150 millimetres of rain over parts of south-east Queensland.

In the last two days, more than 100 millimetres was recorded near Maroochydore and Brisbane received more than 50 millimetres.

Forecaster Brett Harrison says heavy rain is falling over the Gold Coast this morning, with Upper Springbrook recording 64 millimetres in the last 24 hours.

He says the wet weather will clear later today.

"We're still looking at rain continuing for the next few hours, particularly around the coastal parts before it clears out to sea over the next few hours or so," he said.

Mr Harrison says the Sunshine Coast has had the highest totals over the past two days.

"Rainfalls getting close to 150 millimetres for the 48 hours or so since the rain began falling," he said.

"Gold Coast has been next best - probably round the 70 to 80 millimetre mark in a lot of areas and around Brisbane it's been more about 50 millimetres."

Meanwhile, the Gold Coast's chief lifeguard expects the big surf of recent days to drop this morning.

Warren Young says experienced surfers have been making the most of swells up to two-and-a-half-metres.

"The way that the weather maps are pointing it looks like it will settle down," he said.

"I think when there's a swell like this - a fairly strong swell - beginning surfers shouldn't go out at point breaks when there's a strong sweep.

"It's mainly for experienced surfers for sure.

"People having a swim when it fines up [should] just check with the lifeguards and swim between the flags and you will be fine."

- ABC

© ABC 2008

More breaking news

ABC News
Sydney Morning Herald
National Nine News
News Limited