When Is Cyclone Alfred Going to Hit – SE Queensland Landfall Date

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall along the southeast Queensland coast in March 2025, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding to communities from Brisbane to northern New South Wales. The system, which had fluctuated in intensity over several days, crossed the coast as a Category 2 cyclone near Moreton Island before weakening as it moved inland.

Authorities issued emergency warnings ahead of the system’s arrival, prompting school closures, flight cancellations, and evacuations from low-lying areas. The Bureau of Meteorology provided hourly updates as the cyclone’s unpredictable path made forecasting particularly challenging in the final hours before landfall.

When Did Cyclone Alfred Make Landfall?

Key Forecast Details

• The Bureau of Meteorology predicted the system would approach the Bay Islands after midnight on March 7, crossing Moreton Bay on the morning of March 8
• The cyclone was forecast to move north of the Brisbane central business district following landfall
• The system exhibited slow, erratic motion with a stalling pattern overnight before March 6
• Exact timing remained uncertain due to weak steering currents in the atmosphere
• Impacts were expected along the western edge of the system as it approached the coast
• The shallow waters and terrain of Moreton Bay were projected to influence intensity at crossing

Where Did Cyclone Alfred Hit?

Affected Coastal Regions

The cyclone’s trajectory brought it directly toward the populated coastline of southeast Queensland. Moreton Island bore the initial impact, with the system then affecting the surrounding bay islands and coastal areas extending toward Brisbane’s northern suburbs.

The Bureau of Meteorology identified several exposed coastal locations at particular risk. Moreton Island, North Stradbroke Island, and the southern Moreton Bay Islands faced the most severe wind conditions. The Gold Coast experienced significant impacts from the system’s outer bands.

Inland Impact Zones

As the system moved inland following landfall near Caboolture, communities across the greater Brisbane area experienced damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall. The slow movement of the cyclone meant that rainfall accumulated significantly over elevated southern areas, exacerbating flood conditions.

Northern New South Wales also felt the effects, with the system drawing moisture-laden air across the border. Flooding affected communities already saturated from previous weather events, creating hazardous conditions across the region. Those staying in Brisbane accommodation during this period were advised to remain indoors and monitor official updates.

What Was Cyclone Alfred’s Path and Status?

Formation and Intensification

The system originated as Tropical Low 22U northeast of Cooktown on February 21, 2025. Meteorologists designated it as Tropical Cyclone Alfred on February 23, when it was located approximately 320 kilometres northeast of Willis Island.

The cyclone reached its peak intensity on February 28 while remaining offshore, achieving Category 4 status with sustained winds of 165 kilometres per hour. This represented the most powerful phase of the storm’s lifecycle.

Fluctuating Intensity

Unfavourable atmospheric conditions caused the system to weaken over subsequent days. By March 2, Alfred had diminished to Category 1 strength while positioned east of Rockhampton.

The cyclone underwent a subtropical transition on March 3, a process that altered its structure. Wind speeds during this phase ranged between 85 and 100 kilometres per hour. The system then tracked southeastward before executing a turn toward the Queensland coast.

Final Approach and Landfall

Renewed development occurred as Alfred approached southeast Queensland, reintensifying to Category 2 by March 6. The system moved with deliberate slowness, prompting detailed warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology regarding the extended duration of hazardous conditions.

Landfall occurred on Moreton Island east of Brisbane on the morning of March 8, with the system positioned near Caboolture as it moved inland. The shallow waters of Moreton Bay and local terrain influenced the cyclone’s behaviour during the crossing. Following landfall, Alfred was downgraded to an ex-tropical cyclone.

What Warnings and Impacts Did Cyclone Alfred Produce?

Emergency Declarations and Closures

The first Emergency Warning for Cyclone Alfred was issued at 9 p.m. on March 6, targeting Redland City Islands including North Stradbroke and the Southern Moreton Bay Islands. This marked the beginning of formal emergency operations across the affected region.

Brisbane Airport suspended operations on March 6 as conditions deteriorated. Schools throughout southeast Queensland closed their doors, while public transport services ceased running. Road closures restricted movement in coastal and low-lying areas.

Recorded Wind Speeds

Destructive wind gusts reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour were possible along exposed coasts according to Bureau forecasts. Recorded gusts included 120 kilometres per hour at Cape Byron on March 7 and 109 kilometres per hour at Cape Moreton on March 9.

Rainfall and Flooding

The cyclone produced substantial rainfall across its path. Widespread daily totals of 300 to 500 millimetres were recorded, with some elevated southern areas receiving up to 800 millimetres over a 48-hour period. This volume of rainfall caused significant flooding in communities already vulnerable after previous wet weather.

Power Outages

More than 70,000 customers lost electricity supply across Queensland and New South Wales as the storm damaged power infrastructure. Emergency crews faced challenging conditions attempting to restore services while the system continued to produce hazardous weather.

Timeline of Cyclone Alfred

1. February 21, 2025 — Tropical Low 22U forms northeast of Cooktown
2. February 23, 2025 — System named Tropical Cyclone Alfred, located 320 km northeast of Willis Island
3. February 28, 2025 — Cyclone reaches peak Category 4 intensity with 165 km/h winds offshore
4. March 2, 2025 — System weakens to Category 1 strength east of Rockhampton
5. March 3, 2025 — Alfred undergoes subtropical transition with winds of 85-100 km/h
6. March 5-6, 2025 — System reintensifies to Category 2 as it approaches southeast Queensland
7. March 6, 2025, 9 p.m. — First Emergency Warning issued for Redland City Islands
8. March 7, 2025 — System approaches Bay Islands after midnight; schools and transport shut down
9. March 8, 2025 — Cyclone crosses Moreton Bay as Category 2; Brisbane Airport closed
10. March 8-9, 2025 — Alfred downgraded to ex-tropical cyclone near Caboolture

What Was Certain and What Remained Unclear?

The Bureau of Meteorology acknowledged that weak steering currents made the cyclone’s path difficult to predict with precision. Hourly warning updates reflected the evolving understanding of the system’s trajectory in the final hours before landfall.

Background on Cyclone Alfred

Tropical Cyclone Alfred formed during the 2024-25 Australian region cyclone season, which runs from November through April. The system followed an unusual trajectory that brought it toward one of Australia’s most densely populated coastal regions.

The cyclone’s path took it over warm waters of the Coral Sea before its approach toward Brisbane and surrounding areas. Its reintensification after an earlier weakening phase demonstrated the complex dynamics that can occur when tropical systems interact with varying atmospheric conditions.

Notably, a separate and unrelated Category 1 Cyclone Alfred occurred in 1986 in the Coral Sea. The current system represents the most significant tropical cyclone threat to southeast Queensland in recent years.

Sources and Official Information

The Bureau of Meteorology continues to provide real-time updates on current conditions and any developing weather systems through its official website and mobile application.

— Bureau of Meteorology official communications

Official information about Cyclone Alfred came primarily from the Bureau of Meteorology’s cyclone monitoring division. Their historical tracking page for Alfred 2025 provided detailed documentation of the system’s formation, intensification, and eventual landfall.

The Wikipedia entry on Cyclone Alfred supplemented this with context regarding emergency response measures, school closures, and infrastructure impacts across the affected region.

Summary

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred made landfall as a Category 2 system on March 8, 2025, affecting Moreton Island and surrounding areas near Brisbane. The cyclone brought destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and widespread flooding to southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales. More than 70,000 customers lost power during the event. Authorities issued Emergency Warnings and implemented closures across the region as the system approached. For those exploring Brisbane attractions such as Bluey’s World Brisbane – Tickets, Location and Guide, conditions had returned to normal by mid-March following the cyclone’s passage inland and subsequent weakening.

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