Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi continues to push out into the open waters over the Coral Sea as it races towards Cairns and the Queensland Coast.

The cyclone continues to track in a westerly direction but should start to take a slightly more south west direction overnight tonight.

We have extensive coverage of Yasi, including the latest forecast maps and satellite images.

Yasi is currently a Category 3 tropical cyclone with winds averaging 155km/h and gusting to 220km/h.

Image : Infrared satellite map of Yasi today / MTSAT

It is racing towards Queensland at 33km/h and this fast movement will help push up the winds in front of it (but decrease them a bit behind it).

The air pressure is 960hPa but is predicted to fall in to 938hPa late tomorrow predicts Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

Meanwhile BoM is using strong language in their latest shipping forecast, saying the Yasi is creating “phenomenal seas” around the centre of the low stretching as far as 75kms.

WeatherWatch.co.nz says these incredible seas could pose a serious risk to the fragile Great Barrier Reef which lies directly in its path.   The weather news authority says Yasi may cause damage that will take years if not decades to repair.

However WeatherWatch.co.nz says the estimated arrival time for Yasi to make landfall could be favourable with the sea heading towards low tide as the eye makes landfall, which could reduce the storm surge.

Predicted swells around 10pm on Wednesday as Yasi moves in.  Orange indicates 3 metre swells, purple at least 8 metres.  Image / Weathermap.co.nz

WeatherWatch.co.nz says that while Yasi has the same strength as Wilma it is much bigger in size.

Wilma is about 2500kms in diameter.  To compare, New Zealand is just 1500kms long.

As of 4pm NZT Yasi remained 1300kms east of Cairns.

Here is the latest track prediction for Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi, issued by BoM.

Predicted tracking by the Joint Typhoon Warning Centre

Yasi late this morning / Google Earth