Striking pictures taken on the coast today capture the moment the tide surged forward – smashing against the pier in Felixstowe.

Ipswich Star: Huge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHuge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Wet and windy weather has battered parts of Suffolk and north Essex all day, with rainfall totals rising to 16mm in eastern areas.

Motorists faced fresh travel chaos this morning as gusts forced the Orwell Bridge to shut.

Drivers reported being stuck in gridlock across Ipswich this morning after Highways England announced they would be closing it.

It re-opened to traffic at around 7.30am.

Ipswich Star: Huge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHuge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Meanwhile, dog walkers in Felixstowe were soaked by waves as they crashed against the beach in the stormy conditions.

In Writtle, near Chelmsford, 15mm of rainfall was recorded by forecasters – while further south in Shoeburyness, the highest wind gust for the eastern region was recorded at 46mph.

Ipswich Star: Huge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHuge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

However, the tide is about to turn, forecasters believe – and warmer weather is on its way.

We spoke to Norwich-based Weatherquest for an updated forecast this afternoon.

Ipswich Star: Huge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHuge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

• Read more about what to expect over the bank holiday weekend here.

Ipswich Star: Huge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHuge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

Ipswich Star: Huge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNHuge waves engulf Felixstowe prom. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

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