
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred: what we know about flooding, roads, public transport and services disruption
As ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred dissipates, parts of northern New South Wales and south-east Queensland are still facing severe weather, with roads closed, some schools shut, and public transport limited in the worst-affected areas. Here's what you need to know.
As of 10am AEST, there were still several flood warnings in place in Queensland, including:
Flood watch for south-east Queensland, Condamine and Border rivers
Major flood warning for the Bremer River and Warrill Creek
Major flood warning for the Laidley Creek and moderate flood warning for the Lockyer Creek
Major flood warning for the Logan and Albert rivers
Moderate flood warning for the Stanley River and minor flood warning for the Upper Brisbane River
Initial minor flood warning for the Mary River
Initial minor flood warning for the Upper Condamine River
Minor flood warning for the Brisbane River downstream of Wivenhoe Dam
Minor flood warning for the Maroochy and Noosa rivers
Flood warning for the Nerang and Coomera rivers
Final flood warning for the Cooper Creek
In northern NSW, there is a severe weather warning for the north-west slopes and plains, northern tablelands, parts of the northern rivers, and mid-north coast districts.
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Flood alerts include:
Flood watch for parts of the north-west and central west catchments
Minor to major flood warning for the Tweed River
Moderate flood warning for the Wilsons River
Moderate to major flood warning for the Clarence River
Minor to moderate flood warning for the Bellinger River
Minor to moderate flood warning for the Macleay River
Final flood warning for the Hastings River
Moderate flood warning for the Orara River
Final flood warning for the Brunswick River and Marshalls Creek
Minor flood warning for the Nambucca River
Minor to major flood warning for the Richmond River
More information can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology's website.
On Monday morning, the BoM said there was an area of low pressure lying across south-east inland Queensland, causing severe weather across south-east Queensland and north-east NSW. There will continue to be heavy rainfall, severe thunderstorms and significant flooding through much of those areas.
Rainfall in the most-affected parts could reach as much as 150mm in 24 hours on Monday in Queensland and NSW.
There are three evacuation centres open in Brisbane.
A list of evacuation centres in northern NSW can be found here.
A number of roads in the two states in weather-affected areas remained closed.
Road closures for Queensland can be found here.
Road closures for NSW can be found here.
Several schools in NSW and Queensland were closed on Monday. State governments will be updating websites on future closures throughout the day.
The list of NSW school closures is here.
The list of Queensland school closures is here.
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, said on Sunday that Naplan tests, scheduled for Wednesday this week, will be rescheduled to Monday 17 March for schools closed by the floods, and this will be communicated to parents and carers. For schools still open the tests will go ahead as scheduled.
In Queensland, most train lines are running to a Sunday timetable while repairs are conducted. Some lines, including the Gold Coast, remain closed.
A number of bus services are suspended in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Kilcoy, Lockyer Valley, and Logan, among others, while other services are running to varied timetables.
Brisbane ferry and light rail services have been suspended.
There has been a partial restoration of public transport services in northern NSW.
As of Monday morning, there were still 230,000 homes and businesses without power in NSW and Queensland.
Authorities said it could take up to a week to restore power in some places, because of changing weather, debris and dangerous conditions.
There were still 192,000 NBN connections on fixed and fixed wireless out of action on Monday, including 185,000 in south-east Queensland, and 11,000 in northern NSW.
As of Monday morning, Telstra reported 154 mobile sites, 7,100 landline services and 1,700 ADSL services offline.
Optus reported 267 mobile tower sites offline, as of Monday morning.
Vodafone reported 201 sites down, as of Monday morning.
Read more of Guardian Australia's Tropical Cyclone Alfred coverage:
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred update: residents warned to head for high ground as flood waters rise
Almost 230,000 properties without power as ex-tropical cyclone brings more dangerous rain
Valerie drove her bright red Suzuki into the eye of Alfred. Now she's heading home to the northern rivers

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Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Brutal polar blast hits Australia: How cold it will get in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and more
Australians will continue to shiver through icy temperatures for the rest of the week after heavy snow caused chaos in the alpine regions over the long weekend. All capital cities around Australia, except Darwin, are set to start the day below 10C for the rest of the working week. A cold front is forecast to bring below-average temperatures to large parts of Queensland with morning frost stretching from the outback to Brisbane 's west. But while those in the Sunshine State's capital will enjoy clear skies on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sydney and Melbourne are expected to see clouds and showers through the rest of the week. Dean Narramore, from the Bureau of Meteorology, predicted the wet weather would largely avoid the regions that need it most. 'We're continuing to see, as you'd expect, winter light conditions and cold across much of eastern and southeastern Australia,' he said. 'But the wet weather associated with the low that's been driving this won't be too common through southeastern parts. 'Just some isolated showers through parts of Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. 'Well over in the west, we'll see a cold front move through southwestern parts of WA, and high pressure continues to dominate the rest of the country.' Rainfall in May was below average in southern WA, most of SA and Victoria, northern and western Tasmania, western NSW, areas surrounding Queensland's Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Northern Territory. Some light rainfall is expected to bring some relief to the drought-stricken Eyre Peninsula from Thursday. Weatherzone meteorologist Anthony Sharwood said snow in alpine regions across NSW and Victoria fell 'in two waves' as a polar blast hit over the long weekend. 'A cold front that passed through southeastern Australia on Saturday delivered the first batch from the west, with a low pressure system then feeding more moisture onshore,' he said. The fall was good news for skiing fans with the system creating a solid base at several resorts. 'When the clouds clear and the freshly fallen snow compacts, expect a natural snow base of around 50cm on the higher slopes, with numerous lift openings imminent,' Mr Sharwood said. Two hikers, a 31-year-old man and 28-year-old woman, were trapped by the snow near Mt Kosciuszko on Saturday. 'Due to the weather, including low visibility, a helicopter was unable to reach the pair,' NSW Police said. 'Officers from the Alpine Operations Unit hiked into the location and reached the man and woman at about 10.40pm.' The pair were taken to a staging post campsite until they were finally extracted about 4am Sunday, both uninjured. Dozens of motorists had to be rescued across NSW and Victoria due to icy road conditions. The biggest operation was at Mount Hotham in Victoria's High Country after 19 people became trapped in their cars during a snow storm. Six people remained trapped in their vehicles on the Blue Rag Range Track near Dargo High Plains on Monday morning. They were pulled from their cars later that day. Authorities warned motorists not to underestimate the impact of snow and ice on the roads. Wintry temperatures in Sydney this week are set to be accompanied by grey skies and showers 'Please ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and well equipped with extra supplies should you become stranded in snowy conditions, as help can often be a long way away,' NSW Police said. 'Carry chains and fit them when directed. 'It is a good idea to practice fitting chains before entering the area as trying to fit them in blizzard conditions is not a good place to be learning this activity.' Snow could fall as low as 1,200m in Australia's southeast on Tuesday. Sydney Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h becoming light in the late afternoon. Min 9. Max 18. Thursday: Mostly sunny morning. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the afternoon and evening. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then tending south to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day. Min 8. Max 16. Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers. Winds southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h. Min 9. Max 16. Melbourne Wednesday: Partly cloudy. The chance of morning fog. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the late morning and afternoon. Light winds. Min 6. Max 14. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Areas of frost and the chance of fog about the nearby hills in the morning. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 5. Max 13. Friday: Partly cloudy. Areas of morning frost about the nearby hills. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 5. Max 13. Brisbane Wednesday: Sunny. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h becoming light in the evening. Min 9. Max 19. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming westerly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Min 8. Max 20. Friday: Sunny. Light winds becoming westerly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 9. Max 20. Perth Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Light winds. Min 8. Max 18. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming north to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the day. Min 7. Max 19. Friday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Winds northerly 15 to 25 km/h shifting west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the evening. Min 10. Max 21. Adelaide Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Light winds becoming north to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then turning northeasterly in the late afternoon. Min 6. Max 16. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds. Min 8. Max 16. Friday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning. Light winds. Min 6. Max 17. Hobart Wednesday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning. Light winds. Min 7. Max 13. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Light winds. Min 4. Max 13. Friday: Mostly sunny. Patches of morning frost in the east. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min 3. Max 14. Canberra Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Areas of frost and the chance of fog in the morning. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon then becoming light in the late afternoon. Min -1. Max 13. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Areas of frost and the chance of fog in the morning. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds. Min -2. Max 12. Friday: Partly cloudy. Areas of morning frost. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Min -1. Max 13. Darwin Wednesday: Sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the early afternoon. Min 19. Max 30. Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Min 19. Max 30. Friday: Sunny. Light winds becoming southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the morning then becoming light during the afternoon. Min 19. Max 30.


The Guardian
5 days ago
- The Guardian
Wintery long weekend to deliver snowy start to Australia's ski season
The King's birthday long weekend could be the snowiest start to an Australian ski season in years, forecasters predict. Weatherzone said up to 70cm of snow could accumulate at the higher resorts by Tuesday evening, with at least 15cm to 30cm at lower resorts. A strong cold front in the Great Australian Bight will move in overnight, weatherzone meteorologists said, bringing with it dumps of snow. Jonathan How, from the Bureau of Meteorology, said south-east Australia can expect 'very cold' and windy conditions over the three-day weekend. Melbourne is forecast for a high of 15C on Saturday and a low of 6C on Monday. The weekend in Sydney should be mostly sunny with possible showers, with expectations of a high of 19C on Saturday followed by 8C on Monday, the bureau said. On Friday, a severe weather warning was issued for South Australia and south-west Victoria. Rain is predicted to break a record drought for the region. Damaging winds could top 90km/h on Friday, impacting parts of Victoria, including the Otway ranges and Mornington Peninsula. Gusts are predicted to increase and move into South Australia on Friday afternoon, reaching Adelaide and the Mount Lofty ranges. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The strong winds will continue on Saturday through Victoria and SA, the bureau said. The coldest weather will arrive in a second cold front, which will reach SA potentially on Sunday morning, bringing thunderstorms and hail. Adelaide has a predicted high of 17C on Saturday and low of 6C on Monday. Melbourne will not be impacted by the damaging winds on Friday, but the city will experience a strong wind chill and showers that will also reach the Yarra Valley and Macedon Ranges. The cold front will move into south-east NSW by Friday evening. How cautioned black ice will pose a risk over the weekend across NSW and Victoria. 'Take care if you are heading up to the slopes this weekend for the snow,' he said. Snow showers are predicted across the alps of Victoria and NSW, with snow levels in those regions predicted to drop to 1,500m by Friday. Snow levels will fall further on Saturday to about 1,150m. How said he expected high snow accumulation between 30cm and 70cm around alpine ski resorts, with the potential to move to lower regions. 'We may even see some blizzard conditions across some of those alpine peaks,' he said. On Sunday, snow levels are expected to fall to 800m in Victoria and NSW and 900m in western Victoria, including the Grampians. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion In Tasmania the snow level is predicted to drop to 1,000m on Saturday. Hobart is set for a chilly low of 4C on Sunday and maximum of 15C on Saturday. Despite what looks to be a snowy beginning to the ski season, a warm winter is forecast for Australia. Professor Emeritus David Karoly, from the University of Melbourne and the Australian Climate Council, said there is clear evidence of snow cover declining and snow season length reducing due to global warming. 'It's long-term warming due to human-caused climate change from burning fossil fuels,' he said. Karoly said last year's snow season started similarly to this year, with relatively good snow early on, but due to high temperatures and low snowfall there was not enough to maintain snow for the whole season. He said the impact of climate change from Australian and global emissions, with a new world record for climate pollution set in 2024, will cause continued decline in snow cover and snow season length until at least 2050 – the current target date for net zero emissions. 'By that stage there will be very, very few commercially viable ski areas in Australia even with increases in snowmaking on the resorts,' he said. He said lack of action from powerful countries like the US to reduce their emissions and the Australian government's expansion of the North West Shelf pas project 'will make it virtually impossible to meet its commitments for zero emissions by 2050'.


Time Out
04-06-2025
- Time Out
Australia's ski seasons are melting away – and could disappear completely by 2050
Reporting live from Sydney, I can confirm that winter is well and truly here. The actual temperature currently reads a drizzly 12 degrees, but my weather app says it 'feels like' a frosty four – which justifies me busting out my puffer jacket for its seasonal debut. But while the chill is real, it's not all snowflakes and rainbows – especially for Australia's ski fields. The past two winters have been incredibly disappointing for snow enthusiasts, with warm temperatures delaying the start of the season and rainy weather forcing Australia's top ski resorts to shut early. In fact, 2023 and 2024 were the hottest Aussie winters in history – and with more above-average temperatures on the horizon, things aren't looking good for our ski fields. What to expect for Australia's 2025 snow season? The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has forecast unusually high daytime temperatures across southern and eastern Australia, right where our ski fields sit. David Karoly, Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne and Councillor at Climate Council of Australia, says, 'We can also expect warmer-than-average nights, which makes it hard for snow to form and settle. It also means fewer nights with good conditions for snow-making overnight.' While the BoM predicts rainfall will return to normal following droughts in southeastern Australia, above-average temperatures could see precipitation in the mountains fall as rain, not snow, melting the existing snow base faster or washing it away entirely. Professor Karoly warns that this trend will continue in the years to come, "We have had declines of maximum snow depth and decreasing season length at Australian ski resorts reported for over 30 years… The declines are greatest at lower elevation resorts and on lower elevation slopes, where the temperatures are higher and the melting is faster.' Can artificial snow save Australia's ski industry? Australia's ski fields have become increasingly reliant on machine-made snow, with all Aussie ski resorts except Mount Stirling currently using some level of snowmaking to improve the quality and length of the season. While it's a temporary fix, experts warn artificial snow is not a sustainable solution – for two main reasons. Firstly, the climatic conditions required to produce the snow are becoming less reliable due to climate change. Artificial snow only works when it's cold enough that the snow doesn't melt, when there's enough humidity in the air and when there's lots of water – something that's becoming increasingly scarce in the southern Alps. On top of that, there are significant water and electricity costs associated with snowmaking. For perspective, covering the equivalent of an AFL stadium would require 1 million litres of water, with billions invested in machine-made snow across the country. Are Australia's ski resorts at risk of closing for good? The sad reality is that Australia's ski resorts won't be economically viable if they depend on natural snowfall alone. Dr Lily O'Neill, Director of Protect Our Winters Australia, explains, 'Future generations of Australians will know skiing, but not to the same extent as we do today. The more we get on with cutting climate pollution, largely by continuing to move away from the burning of fossil fuels like coal and gas, the better chance future generations will have at experiencing skiing here at home.' What will Australia's snow seasons look like in 2050? According to Our Changing Snowscapes – an Australian-first report exploring climate change's impacts on the Australian Alps – there may be no reliable ski areas left in Australia by 2050. Ski seasons are forecast to shrink by between 44 and 55 days (42 to 52 per cent), and the amount of machine-made snow needed to sustain a 100-day ski season (the minimum days for a ski field to remain viable) is predicted to increase by 71 to 98 per cent in the 2050s. However, we're not giving up all hope just yet. Dr O'Neill adds, 'Enjoying ski seasons later into this century should still be possible if the Albanese government takes action to keep us in a low emissions scenario, particularly for higher-altitude resorts, like Hotham and Thredbo.' Those that are at lower altitudes are particularly vulnerable and already feeling the impacts of climate pollution, and planned adaptation needs to start happening now in these communities.' Dr O'Neill is also calling for more year-round investment to help ski resorts diversify beyond snow activities. Professor Karoly agrees, 'Tourism operators may be able to adapt by switching to promoting other activities in spring and summer, such as mountain walking, horse riding and trail biking.' You can see what's in store for Australia's snow seasons and what's needed to protect them by reading the full report here.