Cyclone Alfred: When and Where It Could Hit

Millions of Aussies in Queensland and northern New South Wales are on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Alfred barrels toward the coast. The storm is expected to make landfall in the next 48 hours, bringing heavy rain, wild winds, and the risk of flash flooding.

When will Cyclone Alfred hit?

Cyclone Alfred is predicted to make landfall late Thursday night or early Friday morning. Senior meteorologist Christie Johnson said the storm could cross the coast around 1-2 a.m. Friday, but that timing might shift by an hour or two either way.

Who's in the firing line?

If you’re anywhere between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast—including Brisbane—you could be in the path of the cyclone. Damaging winds up to 130 km/h are expected from Wednesday, with even stronger gusts of up to 155 km/h possible along the coast and nearby islands from Thursday afternoon.

The storm is also bringing monster swells, with waves over seven metres already recorded, and the potential for 200 to 400 mm of rain, which could lead to flash flooding.

You can keep an eye on the storm's path using the Bureau of Meteorology’s (BOM) track maps on their website, which are updated regularly.

Where will it hit hardest?

The Bureau’s warning zone stretches from Double Island Point in Queensland to Grafton in New South Wales, covering major areas like Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Byron Bay.

A ‘watch zone’ is also in place from Sandy Cape to Double Island Point, including K’gari. Northern NSW towns like Ballina and Lismore are also bracing for impact.

How close is the cyclone to Brisbane?

As of Wednesday morning, Cyclone Alfred is about 465 km east of Brisbane. It's currently a category 2 storm, packing wind gusts near the centre of up to 130 km/h.

Stay safe, and keep checking for updates as the storm moves closer!