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Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensifies to category four system as it remains off north Queensland coast Tropical Cyclone intensifies to category four system as it remains off north Queensland coast
(about 16 hours later)
BoM tracking path of storm 770km north-east of Mackay and expected to cause powerful waves and winds on coast from Townsville down to K’Gari Storm 770km north-east of Mackay and expected to cause powerful waves and winds on coast from Townsville down to K’Gari
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified to a category four system but meteorologists say it is still not clear how close it will move towards the southern Queensland coast.Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified to a category four system but meteorologists say it is still not clear how close it will move towards the southern Queensland coast.
On Thursday afternoon the Bureau of Meteorology advised the cyclone had become category 4, and was sitting 770km north-east of Mackay in northern Queensland.On Thursday afternoon the Bureau of Meteorology advised the cyclone had become category 4, and was sitting 770km north-east of Mackay in northern Queensland.
The BoM advised it would continue to strengthen during the rest of Thursday and into Friday morning.The BoM advised it would continue to strengthen during the rest of Thursday and into Friday morning.
Despite remaining in the Coral Sea, it was expected to cause large, powerful waves and winds on the Queensland coast from Townsville down to K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island).Despite remaining in the Coral Sea, it was expected to cause large, powerful waves and winds on the Queensland coast from Townsville down to K’Gari (formerly Fraser Island).
Waves could exceed three metres along the coastline, sparking a hazardous warning for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.Waves could exceed three metres along the coastline, sparking a hazardous warning for coastal activities such as crossing bars by boat and rock fishing.
The Great Keppel Island Hideaway resort off Rockhampton announced on Wednesday night the island would be evacuated from 10am on Thursday due to the predicted strong winds from Alfred.The Great Keppel Island Hideaway resort off Rockhampton announced on Wednesday night the island would be evacuated from 10am on Thursday due to the predicted strong winds from Alfred.
It was expected to remain closed until Sunday but could possibly reopen on Monday.It was expected to remain closed until Sunday but could possibly reopen on Monday.
The Bureau of Meteorology has high confidence in modelling over the next two days that the system would remain offshore.The Bureau of Meteorology has high confidence in modelling over the next two days that the system would remain offshore.
But beyond that, there still are a range of possible scenarios including the cyclone approaching the central or southern Queensland coast or remaining offshore.But beyond that, there still are a range of possible scenarios including the cyclone approaching the central or southern Queensland coast or remaining offshore.
“Here at the bureau we analyse a number of computer models. But they’ve not yet reached a consensus as to whether the tropical cyclone remains offshore or make landfall or approach the coast,” meteorologist Jonathan How said on Thursday.“Here at the bureau we analyse a number of computer models. But they’ve not yet reached a consensus as to whether the tropical cyclone remains offshore or make landfall or approach the coast,” meteorologist Jonathan How said on Thursday.
“So the exact move is still a bit uncertain at this stage.”“So the exact move is still a bit uncertain at this stage.”
The bureau said the cyclone could move closer to the Queensland coast as early as Sunday if its path changes and tracks south-west.The bureau said the cyclone could move closer to the Queensland coast as early as Sunday if its path changes and tracks south-west.