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Relentless rain continues despite Alfred being downgraded

Source Weatherzone Sat 08 Mar 2025

Tropical Cyclone Alfred was downgraded to a tropical low on Saturday morning, although heavy rain and flooding will continue in parts of southeast Qld and northeast NSW in the coming days. Alfred passed over Moreton Island on Friday night as a category one tropical cyclone before being downgraded to a tropical low near Bribie Island on Saturday morning. At 7am AEST on Saturday, Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was located to the east of Bribie Island, roughly 65 km to the north northeast of Brisbane and 45 km south southeast of Maroochydore. Image: Radar imagery showing Ex-Tropical Cyclone lingering near southeast Qld on Saturday morning. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to remain below tropical cyclone strength as it eventually makes landfall on the mainland between Maroochydore and Bribie Island during Saturday. The system should then weaken further as it moves inland over the weekend. Despite failing to reach Australia’s mainland as a tropical cyclone, Alfred’s remnant low pressure system has been causing persistent and heavy rain. Parts of southeast Qld and northeast NSW received more than 200 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending at 9am on Saturday, with some places seeing more than 100 mm in three hours on Friday night. Some of the standout totals included: Upper Springbrook, Qld, had 280 mm during the 24 hours to 9am AEST on Saturday Carbrook, Qld, received 119 mm in the three hours ending at 2am AEST on Saturday Bentley (Back Creek), NSW, saw 102 mm in the 6 hours ending at 2:18pm on Friday Areas of heavy rain will continue to soak parts of southeast Qld and northeast NSW on Saturday and Sunday, with some areas expected to see life-threatening flash flooding even after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred has moved inland. Most forecast models suggest that an area of convergence in the wake of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred will cause a focussed area of heavy rain over southeast Qld on Saturday and Sunday, most likely between about Brisbane and Maryborough. However, forecast models are chopping and changing a lot in response to Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred’s slow and erratic movement, so this scenario may change. Image: Forecast accumulated rain during the 72 hours ending at 10pm AEST on Monday, March 10, 2025. Looking further ahead, moisture associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alread will cause rain to spread over southern Qld and northern and central NSW from Sunday into early next week. Some of this rain may also cause flooding, which has prompted flood watches for some inland catchments in NSW. Numerous severe weather and flood warnings remain in place for areas that are being impacted by rain and wind associated with Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. These warnings will have the most up-to-date information on this evolving weather event, so be sure to keep an eye on the latest warnings in your area over the coming days. For emergency help in floods and storms, ring your local SES Unit on 132 500. - Weatherzone © Weatherzone 2025