Source: Bureau of Meteorology

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 27

Issued at 7:53 am EST on Friday 7 March 2025
Headline:

Tropical Cyclone Alfred continues to move slowly towards the southeast Queensland coast. Rainfall, wind and ocean impacts are likely to further increase during the day as Alfred gets closer to the coast.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales, including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay and Ballina but not including Grafton.
Watch Zone

None.
Cancelled Zone

None.
Details of Tropical Cyclone Alfred 22U at 7:00 am AEST [8:00 am AEDT]:

Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 100 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 140 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 20 kilometres of 27.6 degrees South 154.7 degrees East, estimated to be 165 kilometres east of Brisbane and 140 kilometres east northeast of Gold Coast.

Movement: southwest at 6 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred will continue to move slowly towards the southeast Queensland coast.

Alfred, a category 2 tropical cyclone is now expected to cross the coast early Saturday morning, most likely close to Moreton Bay between Noosa and Coolangatta.
Hazards:

HEAVY RAINFALL bands are continuing to extend over southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales coastal areas. HEAVY to locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is expected as Alfred crosses the coast early Saturday morning. Once Alfred crosses the coast, it is likely to weaken below tropical cyclone strength during Saturday. Despite the weakening, the risk of significant impacts due to widespread heavy rainfall is expected to continue near the coast and extend over adjacent inland areas during the weekend. Refer to separate Severe Weather Warning and Flood Watch current for southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales for details.

ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are likely to continue causing MINOR FLOODING of coastal low lying areas between Double Island Point and Grafton, particularly during tonight's (early Saturday) high tide. DAMAGING SURF leading to significant beach erosion remains likely for the open beaches between Double Island Point and Grafton, and further south over the New South Wales coast. Separate Coastal Hazard and Hazardous Surf warnings are current for southeast Queensland and New South Wales coasts.

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are occurring near the coast between Cape Moreton and Cape Byron. Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 kilometres per hour are expected to extend along the remaining southeast Queensland and northeastern New South Wales coastal and island communities between Noosa and Ballina later today as Alfred approaches the coast. These winds may extend as far south as Grafton and northwards to Double Island Point in the evening or Saturday morning.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS of up to 155 kilometres per hour are likely to develop about coastal and island locations near, and to the south of, the cyclone centre, as Alfred's destructive core approaches the coast later today. The destructive winds may persist until Alfred crosses the coast early Saturday morning.

Although Alfred is expected to weaken and move inland during Saturday, DAMAGING WIND GUSTS may continue, particularly over elevated terrain during Saturday, before easing throughout during Sunday.

Refer to associated warnings for Queensland and New South Wales at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/warnings.
Recommended Action:

People between Cape Moreton and Cape Byron, including the Morton Bay Islands should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.

People between Cape Byron and Grafton in New South Wales, as well as Brisbane and Double Island Point in Queensland should take precautions and listen to the next advice.

- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit the Get Ready Queensland website (www.getready.qld.gov.au)

- If you choose to take shelter away from your home, stay COVID-19 safe and pack a mask and hand sanitiser (if you have them).

- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service or New South Wales State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

Current Tropical Cyclones