Tropical Cyclone Alfred has formed off the coast of Queensland, with predictions it could strengthen to a category three within days.
The Bureau of Meteorology declared the tropical cyclone as a category one at about 5pm on Sunday, with the system about 910km east-northeast of Cairns and moving in an easterly direction.
Senior meteorologist Angus Hines said the tropical cyclone was expected to be upgraded to a category two on Monday morning, due to it being over a warm ocean in an area of the atmosphere that was “conducive to cyclone development”.
The tropical cyclone is currently moving slowly eastwards and is well offshore of the north Queensland coast.
However, the latest modelling predicts that as it strengthens, the cyclone could turn southeast and move back towards the Queensland coast by next week, though reaching land is unlikely.
Mr Hines said the brunt of the intensifying tropical cyclone would remain over the Coral Sea, several hundred kilometres offshore.
Tropical Cylone Alfred is expected to reach category three on Tuesday and is likely to influence weather along parts of the east coast.
Mr Hines said this week would bring southeasterly winds, passing showers, and choppy surf conditions in coastal areas.
Residents right along the coast from Cairns to Coolangatta near the NSW border can expect light showers in the first half of the week.
There are several possible pathways Tropical Cyclone Alfred could take this week, one of which could see it hitting the coast.
“If this were to happen, it would be during the weekend or even early next week,” Mr Hines said.
It is too early to tell how severe the wind and rain might be or which regions would be impacted should this occur, he said.
Residents in the coastal areas of Queensland have been reminded to watch out for warnings and updates on Cyclone Alfred.