Tropical Cyclone Alfred on Track to Hit Australia’s East Coast

Australia’s east coast is bracing for impact as Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which had been expected to remain offshore, now appears set to make landfall later this week. Damaging winds, dangerous surf and widespread flooding are expected for parts of Queensland and northern New South Wales.

The sudden shift in Alfred’s path has caught forecasters by surprise. Initially predicted to continue southward, the storm is now expected to make a sharp turn westward on Tuesday due to a high-pressure system to the south, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. As a result, the cyclone is now on course to strike the densely populated areas between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast on Thursday.

In response, the bureau has issued a tropical cyclone warning from Double Island Point in Queensland to just north of Grafton, New South Wales, an area that includes Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bayand Ballina.

“We’re expecting gale-fore winds to start to develop from Wednesday evening,” said Sarah Scully, a meteorologist with the Bureau.

The cyclone season for the Australian region runs from November through the end of April. Cyclones can occur anywhere from the western coastline to the more populous eastern coast.

Alfred has already caused dangerous conditions at sea. Last week, Aurimas Mockus, a solo rower nearing the end of a 7,500-mile journey from California, found himself caught in the storm’s powerful winds and rough seas off the Queensland coast.