11:27a.m. 1st January 2008

| By Mark Furler

Photo Gallery: Conquering the big waves

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The Sunshine Coast could face even heavier rain later in the week as an upper trough system moves in with falls of up to 50mm in 24 hours expected.

But the weather bureau has given a glimmer of hope that the worst of the rain could be over by the weekend with only a few showers expected Saturday morning.

Brisbane-based weather forecaster Vikash Prasad told thedaily.com.au today that the Coast had received between 25 and 50mm of rain in the past 24 hours until 9am with Noosa and hinterland areas received the majority of it.

Latest figures show Cooroy had 43mm, Boreen Point 31mm, Doonan 28, Pomona 24, Cooran 15, Lake Cooroibah 32, while further south the rainfall was not as great.

Maroochydore recorded 17mm, Mountain Creek 12mm, Tanawha 22, Sippy Downs 13, Yandina 22, while further south Peachester had 20mm and Burpengary 16mm.

Beerwah had recorded 19, Palmview just 3, Kawana 15 while Sugarbag Road near Caloundra had 18mm. Near Caboolture, Morayfield recorded 24mm of rain.

The Gold Coast has had by far the biggest rainfall with 180mm recorded in the Upper Springbrook area.

Photo Gallery: Tow-in surfing off Pt Cartwright

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Mr Prasad said the showers and south-easterlies would continue with the rain likely to intensify on Thursday before clearing on the weekend. Temperatures on the weekend are expected to reach the high 20s or early 30s with high humidity.

"It looks like most of the rain will be gone (by Saturday),'' Mr Prasad said.

He said the Coast could expect to see the big seas remain over the coming days as the low continues to move very slowly north.

Winds would be 20 to 30 knotts but could pick up again on Thursday to gale force levels. The seas of 4 metres could ease to about three metres tomorrow but should ease back to light winds on the weekend.