Tropical Cyclone Alfred has recently formed off the coast of Queensland, prompting meteorologists to closely monitor its trajectory and potential impact on the mainland. Classified as a category 1 storm, Alfred emerged over the Coral Sea around 4pm local time after lingering as a tropical low for several days. The cyclone is currently situated approximately 840 kilometres east-north-east of Cairns.
As Alfred is projected to intensify to category 3 by Tuesday morning, it is expected to move away from the coast. However, the Bureau of Meteorology has cautioned that the cyclone’s path remains uncertain, with predictions suggesting it might shift southward by Wednesday. By that time, the cyclone could be nearly 1000 kilometres offshore but could still affect coastal areas.
Meteorologist Angus Hines indicated that robust winds could be felt from Brisbane to regions north of Cairns, leading to a windy week along the Queensland coastline. Showers are also anticipated across most coastal regions, along with larger waves, which could create hazardous conditions in Queensland waters.
Looking ahead, confidence in forecasting the cyclone’s trajectory decreases post-Wednesday. The Bureau of Meteorology has highlighted considerable uncertainty about its future path, warning of a potential shift closer to the central Queensland coast later in the week. Hines noted that depending on the cyclone’s movements, the severity of weather in Queensland could either increase or decrease.
Several possible pathways for Cyclone Alfred from Thursday to Saturday have been outlined, including the risk of it veering closer to the central or southern Queensland coast, which would heighten the threat of severe weather in parts of eastern Queensland. However, details regarding which specific areas may be most affected or how intense the winds and rainfall could be remain indeterminate at this stage.
Residents of Queensland are advised to keep an eye on ongoing forecasts and updates, particularly the cyclone track map, which will provide more reliable information as the week progresses.