BoM says category 2 Tropical Cyclone Alfred is about 930km north-east of Mackay and is tracking slowly south through Coral Sea
A slow-moving tropical cyclone off north-east Australia is expected to linger in the Coral Sea for at least the next few days, but forecasters say there remains a risk the system could eventually turn towards the Queensland coast.
The Bureau of Meteorology says category 2 Tropical Cyclone Alfred is about 930km north-east of Mackay, and is tracking slowly south through the Coral Sea.
It is forecast to intensify into a category 3 system over the next few days but remain well clear of land.
But where the cyclone moves next – including potentially towards the central Queensland coast – remains “largely uncertain”.
“There is a chance that Alfred may be steered towards the Queensland coast, more likely as a weakening system … or it could continue moving southwards and remain off the Queensland coast,” the bureau’s cyclone update on Wednesday said.
Dean Narramore, a senior meteorologist at the bureau, said the cyclone would “continue to remain well off the Queensland coast”.
“It’s far enough off the coast to really have very little impact to the Queensland coast.”
“Some of those scenarios have it heading closer towards the Queensland coast towards the weekend and early next week … still keeping it offshore but it does get pretty close,” Narramore said.
“There’s also a few other scenarios that have it heading farther south-east, further away from Queensland.”
The bureau on Wednesday urged residents in central and south-east Queensland to stay updated with the latest forecasts and warnings as they track the cyclone’s progress.
Another update is due at 5pm on Wednesday.
Parts of north and central Queensland have already experienced several severe flooding events and record rainfall in 2025.
As residents clean up, a “very alarming” rise in a deadly bacterial infection linked with heavy rain – melioidosis – has been detected in the north.
There have been nine deaths and 53 cases in Cairns since January, with another three deaths in Townsville.
Melioidosis is a wet season disease spread through contact with contaminated water, soil and air.