Tropical Cyclone Alfred latest: System intensifying, as path shows it heading towards Qld coast
Tropical Cyclone Alfred is gaining in strength as it continues to travel through the Coral Sea, but updated tracking data shows it is still set to make its way towards the Queensland coast after intensifying into a Category 3 system.
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Tropical Cyclone Alfred could head towards the Queensland coast after intensifying into a Category 3 system, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.
After forming on Sunday afternoon, Alfred is intensifying as it continues to travel east through the Coral Sea, but updated tracking data shows it could still make its way towards the Queensland coast.
The latest tracking data, issued by the Bureau of Meteorology at 4.47am on Monday shows Alfred formed on Sunday afternoon about 400km east-northeast of Willis Island and 840km east of Cairns and heading east at a rate of 16km/h, strengthening as it moved.
By 11am on Monday, it was about 495km east-northeast of Willis Island, 930km east-northeast of Cairns and continuing to gain strength as it headed east at a speed of 7km/h.
Senior Meteorologist Angus Hines said as the week progresses, the cyclone will intensify, and possibly veer back towards the central or southern Queensland coast.
“Alfred is a Category 1 tropical cyclone, but it is experiencing gradual intensification as it sits over a warm ocean … meaning it is forecast to intensify to a Category 2 tropical cyclone this morning, on Monday,” he said.
“Alfred will most likely be a Category 2 tropical cyclone today and then become a severe Category 3 tropical cyclone on Tuesday.”
This intensification “would greatly increase the risk of severe weather”, although it’s too early to say exactly where would be impacted, how strong the winds would be, or how much rain Queenslanders can expect, Mr Hines said.
Modelling shows the Category 3 Alfred could make a turn to the southwest and begin heading back to the Queensland coast, with the area between Townsville and Bundaberg in its path.
“Alfred is forecast to turn southeast and then south while continuing to intensify through to the middle of the week,” the Bureau’s latest warning said.
“There is high confidence that Alfred will remain well off the Queensland coast until at least late in the week.
“Beyond that, the track becomes highly uncertain and there is a risk it will move closer to the central Queensland coast over the weekend.”
Mr Hines said despite being close to 1000km off the coast, Alfred is still influencing Queensland’s weather.
“Coastal parts of Queensland will get a breezy week, with some southeasterly winds, as well as a few passing showers,” Mr Hines said.
“Strong winds will make for choppy conditions, as well as sizeable swell over the Queensland coastal waters throughout the week.”
Mr Hines encouraged people to check the Bureau of Meteorology’s cyclone tracker map throughout the week, as forecasts would become clearer in the coming days.
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