Storm force winds and huge seas are battering Tasmania, although the worst is yet to come. At 7:20am this morning the Cape Sorell waverider buoy registered a maximum wave height of 10.5 metres. All recordings so far today have been above 6.9 metres and maximum wave heights have remained above 5.5m since Thursday morning. Wind gusts of 131 km/h at Maatsuyker Island, 128 km/h at Scotts Peak and 109 km/h on Mt Read have already been recorded today. Winds averaging around 70 km/h with peak gusts of up to 130 km/h are forecast for parts of the Western and South East districts this evening. Gusts may be even stronger at higher elevations. An intense westerly flow and strong cold front are the cause of these storm force winds and giant waves. Northwesterly winds will be strongest this afternoon as the front approaches. The cold front will cross Tasmania this evening causing showers to spread across the state. Seas are likely to be even higher tomorrow behind the front and remain large for western and southern parts of TAS until the end of this week. Winds are likely to ease from Sunday night as the front moves away from the region.