Australia Weather News

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified into a category two system as the Bureau of Meteorology monitors its path towards the Queensland coast.

The BOM says the storm is likely to strengthen into a category three storm and that it is too early to predict its path.

The system formed off the Far North Queensland coast on Sunday and BOM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said it was gaining in strength as it travelled south over the Coral Sea.

She said said the slow-moving cyclone would be at least 700 kilometres offshore over the next few days.

"The thing to note at this point is that even once we see it intensifying to a category three system, it's still sitting well off the coast … well to the east of Willis Island," Ms Bradbury said.

"We're unlikely to see acute direct impacts through the next few days, even as this system intensifies."

The BOM has issued strong wind warnings for coastal waters between Townsville and K'gari for Tuesday.

Ms Bradbury said Alfred could turn towards Queensland's central or southern coast on the weekend.

"There is some potential that we could see this system hooking back around and making a coastal crossing sometime early next week," she said.

"There's still a lot of time between now and then at this point, but it's definitely one to have to keep a close watch on if you are living … [in] central or southern Queensland."

Ms Bradbury encouraged people to check the BOM's track map throughout the week.

"There are a number of different ways this cyclone could track, so our advice at this point in time is for all communities to really just keep a close eye on the forecasts and any warnings that might come out," she said.

Ms Bradbury said a category three system had the potential to cause serious damage.

"We could see gusts up to 220 kilometres an hour," she said.

"So that's very destructive."

Residents urged to prepare

State Emergency Service [SES] Rockhampton region controller Jasper Humphries said it was never too early to prepare for a cyclone.

"It's important with any severe weather events coming up to have a plan, have your emergency plan and make a kit, but also look around your home," he said.

"If you've got any trees or branches on trees that are overhanging your property it would be a good time to get them trimmed now, and any shade sails or any furniture that's loose in the backyard — if you could remove them and bring them back inside.

"It saves time now so you're not worrying about it as the events happening or as the event is about to happen … so you can be as prepared as you can."

Mr Humphries said the SES would continue to monitor the system and urged residents to be familiar with emergency contacts if they required assistance.

"If it's life-threatening always triple-0, but if it's storm or water damage, contact SES on 132 500," he said.

"If your council has a dashboard, stay in contact with that, but also don't forget to save the emergency alert number."

Large swells on horizon

Surf Live Saving Queensland regional operations manager Darren Everard said people should be aware of the possibility of significant ocean swells..

"If there's a big swell running after rain events and there's debris coming out of the creeks and the rivers, just be really, really mindful," he said.

"I'd encourage anyone in a coastal community to be proactive, visit your local council's disaster dashboard and sign up for the notifications.

"If it's flooded, forget it — we don't want people driving in flooded creeks and needing to be rescued."

A musical festival scheduled for this weekend on Great Keppel Island off the Capricorn Coast became one of Cyclone Alfred's early victims. 

"Due to severe wind forecasts, we've had to make the tough decision to postpone Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows on [Saturday]," event organisers announced.

"We've had to make this call for safety and logistical reasons."