Tropical Cyclone Alfred tracking towards coast

In its latest video update, the Bureau of Meteorology is telling people along the coast of Queensland to be alert but not alarmed as Tropical Cyclone Alfred heads closer to the coast and increases its intensity. Northern NSW might also be affected, depending on what happens over the next few days.

Senior Meteorologist Dean Narramore said this afternoon that the category two system, which is currently around 930 kilometers to the northeast of Mackay, is likely to intensify into a category three system later today or tonight, with more serious scenarios possibly to develop on the weekend.

‘The system is organised and the environment is conducive for further development as we get through tonight and into tomorrow,’ he said.

It’s possible that the high pressure over NSW will push the system closer towards the Queensland coast, increasing winds and rainfall in that area, while other possible projections will push the cyclone further away from the coast as it tracks south.

New maps released every six hours

Mr Narramore suggested that people in affected areas keep up with the latest forecasts and warnings, with new cyclone track maps to be issued every six hours.

In the near future, he says people should expect ‘gusty winds and isolated showers for our coastal communities, anywhere from Hamilton Island all the way down to the NSW border, then as we get into Friday and Saturday, particularly as the system moves closer to the coast, we could also see very large seas and swell develop about our coastal communities.’

He said this would coincide with astronomical high tides, potentially leading to flooding in these areas, along with coastal erosion.

‘With a lot of uncertainty around this tropical cyclone, make sure you continue to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and app.’