Severe weather has hit parts of Australia, with Cyclone Alfred bringing massive rainfall and flooding across Queensland and New South Wales. While the system weakened to a tropical low before crossing the coast late on Saturday, the impact has been significant.
Seapking with Doug on Table Talk, Jess from the Bureau of Meteorology explained, “The difference between a tropical low and a tropical cyclone, in terms of impact, is really quite negligible.” In just 24 hours, some areas recorded nearly half a meter of rain. On top of that, additional rainfall before and after the cyclone’s landfall has worsened flooding.
Social media has been flooded with footage of extreme conditions. Some residents have even been spotted swimming laps in flooded AFL fields. The situation remains serious, with further rainfall recorded since 9 a.m. eastern time, ranging from 30 to 50mm. Jess warned, “I think the flooding impacts are going to be with us for probably at least another week or two.”
Beach Erosion and Cleanup Efforts
Beyond flooding, severe waves and high tides have caused beach erosion along the Gold Coast. “Massive amounts of sand are being sucked out to sea,” Jess noted. Cleanup and restoration efforts will take time across northern New South Wales and southern Queensland.
What’s Next for the Weather?
Thankfully, no new cyclones are on the radar. However, conditions are shifting.
For the first half of this week, the metro area will stay relatively quiet, with today’s forecast predicting sunshine and a high of 31°C. Tomorrow, temperatures will rise to 34°C as a West Coast trough develops. By Wednesday, cooler temperatures will return as the trough moves inland.
Rainfall is expected on Thursday and Friday, but not from a cold front. Instead, a mid-level low-pressure system will bring more widespread and longer-lasting rain. “It won’t be the stop-start showers we usually see,” Jess explained.
Swell Season Arriving for Surfers
Surfers can look forward to more consistent waves. As autumn approaches, the shift in weather patterns will bring stronger swells. “We want to look for those cold fronts,” Jess said. “They’ll push swells up the West Coast and along the South Coast.” Over the weekend, a passing cold front already brought decent waves, and more are on the way.
Listen to the full conversation below.