Intensifying Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s path ‘highly uncertain’, could move toward coast

There is a risk an intensifying Tropical Cyclone Alfred could move closer to the central Queensland coast through the weekend, with gusts of up to 130km/h already recorded.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the cyclone was about 570km east northeast of Willis Island and 970km northeast of Mackay as of 4am on Tuesday.

While slow-moving, the category 2 cyclone is tipped to strengthen later in the week after it moves through the northern Coral Sea on Tuesday.

“Alfred is forecast to turn towards the south later today while continuing to intensify through to Thursday or Friday,” the Bureau of Meteorology alert stated.

“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.”

It’s forecast to be upgraded to a category 3 cyclone as of 4am on Wednesday.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said there were a “range of scenarios” heading into the weekend and early next week.

“Some scenarios bring it closer to the coast, some continue it moving further south well off the Queensland coast and continuing that well into next week, and some even weaken it below cyclone strength as we get towards the weekend into early next week,” Mr Narramore said.

“The short term for the rest of the week we’re likely to see Tropical Cyclone Alfred continue to move slowly south well off the Queensland coast.”

He said there was nearly “no impact” expected for Queensland as a result of the cyclone.

“Apart from some gusty winds, particularly about the coastal communities and our offshore islands, particularly from around Fraser Island all the way up through Townsville, it’s almost looking at no impact to Queensland, and that weather’s going to continue for much of the week with maybe just some isolated coastal showers and some gusty winds about the Queensland coast,” he said.

“But generally it’s going to be a fairly dry, cool to mild and sunny week away from the coast for much of Queensland.”

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines earlier said category 3 cyclones were classified as “severe”, and meant winds were “absolutely racing around the centre”, according to the Courier Mail.

He said the cyclone could approach or cross the coast around the Herbert, Lower Burdekin, Wide Bay or further south later in the week.

Coastal areas of Queensland could be in for south-easterly winds and showers as the cyclone moves through.

“Strong winds will make for choppy conditions, as well as sizeable swell over the Queensland coastal waters throughout the week,” Mr Hines said.

In Western Australia, severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca is still intensifying on Tuesday, with wind gusts of up to 195km/h already recorded.

The category 3 cyclone, about 1180km west of Exmouth and 1230km west northwest of Carnarvon as of 2am on Tuesday, is moving towards the south southwest.

“Bianca is still intensifying at present however during Tuesday conditions become more unfavourable and Bianca should begin to weaken and then decrease to be below tropical cyclone strength during Wednesday while still remaining well west of the state,” a Bureau of Meteorology alert stated.

The cyclone is tipped to be downgraded to a category 1 by about 2pm on Wednesday.

Moving away from any potential cyclone, much of the country can expect a week of warm weather.

Brisbane is tipped to reach a high of 31C on Friday with a slight chance of showers through the week, while Sydney is forecast to hit 32C on Friday.

Melbourne is expected to hit a high of 34C on Wednesday while Perth is set to reach 33C on Saturday.

Adelaide is tipped to hit a top of 33C on Tuesday while Hobart is forecast to reach a top of 28C on Wednesday.

Canberra is set to reach 34C on Thursday while Darwin is tipped to hit 35C on Sunday.