Island in firing line as Gabrielle looks set to become category 3

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle has intensified and is officially a category 3 storm, with wind gusts of up to 165km/h. It comes as the South East brace for more extreme heat this weekend.

Cyclone Gabrielle has developed into a category 3 storm as the Queensland coast braces for large swells and dangerous winds.

The wild weather off the Queensland coast comes as other parts of the state brace for a heatwave this weekend.

Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Felim Hanniffy said on Friday morning the cyclone had sped up speed.

“It’s probably 800km east of Mackay at the moment, probably some of the most interesting winds was Frederick Reef which is actually still over 100km south of the system itself, with a gust of 130km,” he said.

“The main thing is it’s moving away from Queensland coast but it is expected to move past and near Norfold Island late Saturday, early Sunday.

“It’s probably peaking today in terms of development and intensity.”

The cyclone sustained winds near the centre of 120km/h with wind gusts of 165/h.

Mr Hanniffy said the primary risk for Queensland was the hazardous surf conditions on the southeast coast from Agnes Water right through to Gold Coast over the next few days.

Mr Hanniffy said as it moves over the next few days it will probably be scaled back to a category 2 cyclone.

Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is tracking off the Queensland coast. It developed into a category three system overnight. Picture: BOM

Meanwhile several cruise holidays to the Pacific Islands have been rerouted as Cyclone Gabrielle continues to intensify.

Disappointed passengers from the cruise ships have posted on social media that they understand safety should come first as they head home to avoid the dangerous cyclone’s path.

Carnival Luminosa passenger Megan Bowman said they were expecting typhoon-force winds to roughen their trip.

“As it was my first time being on a cruise, I felt nervous and worried after hearing the announcement,” she said.

Fellow Carnival Luminosa passenger Coen Puglisi said although it is unfortunate, everyone on board has been very accepting of the Captain’s decisions.

“We appreciate the hard decisions being made,” he said.

Water vapour satellite imagery of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle.

HEATWAVE SET TO HIT OVER THE WEEKEND

The South East is bracing for another heatwave from Saturday, peaking on Sunday.

“We will see the temperatures build across SEQ into the high 30s on the coast with hot conditions and elevated fire dangers through parts of Darling Downs,” he said.

“Heatwave conditions developing to parts of the South East on Sunday but not as humid. We have high temperatures but the humidity should be lower.”

Mr Hanniffy said high temperatures would be felt across Capricornia, Wide Bay and the South East.

Brisbane is expected to experience a low intensity heatwave with temperatures of 34C.

“It will peak on Sunday and push further inland on Monday and Tuesday,” he said.

Originally published as Island in firing line as Gabrielle looks set to become category 3