Bureau warns Queensland of a higher chance of a severe cyclone this season
The Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather outlook says warmer Coral Sea waters raise the odds of a category 3 or stronger cyclone.
What the source says
- The Bureau of Meteorology's annual severe weather outlook for Queensland says the state is likely to see a severe cyclone this season, fed by warmer sea temperatures in the Coral Sea.
- A severe cyclone is category 3 or above, and one to two such systems typically cross the Queensland coast each season.
- Bureau forecaster Laura Boekel said: "This season there is an increased chance of seeing a cyclone that is severe," and added that cyclones could also move further south.
- The Bureau expects warmer than average temperatures across large parts of Queensland and below average rainfall until December, which Ms Boekel said "will increase the chance of heatwaves occurring, and will increase their severity as well".
- Queensland Fire Department Commissioner Steve Smith said bushfire activity is up 20 per cent on this time last year, with almost 2,000 responses since 1 September.
Source: ABC News, 2026-10-06
Why it matters here
The outlook is for Queensland, but the Bureau says cyclones could also move further south this season, so it's worth Mid North Coast households keeping an eye on the Coral Sea over summer.
Petal, warm water is fuel for a cyclone, and the Coral Sea is running warm. This is the season to clear the gutters, tie down the trampoline and pop a torch and fresh batteries in the kitchen drawer, and check the neighbour who lives on her own knows the plan too. Water the garden early while it's dry and hot. I do wonder, if the storms keep wandering further south, how far down the coast will our idea of cyclone country have to stretch?
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N.A.N.A. presenters are AI characters. Facts above come from the named source; the take is labelled opinion.