Omari Gates
Australia has been hit by several cyclones in the past, with 12 tropical cyclones developing during the 2024/25 tropical cyclone season, the most in almost 20 years. In July 2025, a powerful 'bomb cyclone' struck eastern Australia, causing 70 mph wind gusts, flooding, and downed power lines. Tropical Cyclone Alfred also caused flash flooding in southeast Queensland and exposed a 180-year-old shipwreck. Another ''bomb cyclone' is predicted to hit Sydney and the NSW coast in 2025, bringing gale-force winds, flooding rain, and damaging surf. With these recent events and predictions, the question of whether another cyclone is coming to Australia remains a concern for its residents.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 1st July 2025 |
| Cyclone Type | Bomb cyclone |
| Location | Eastern Australia, NSW coast, Sydney |
| Wind Speed | 70 mph |
| Rainfall | More than 5 inches in some areas |
| Power Outages | More than 30,000 homes and businesses |
| Evacuations | Warnings issued for low-lying coastal areas and communities near rivers and streams |
| Travel | Significant disruptions, hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled |
| Cyclone Name | Alfred |
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What You'll Learn
Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Cyclone Alfred originated from a tropical low in the Coral Sea on 20 February and was named Tropical Cyclone Alfred by the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) on 23 February. It intensified into a category 2 tropical cyclone on 24 February and turned south, continuing to intensify. By 26 February, it had been upgraded to a category 4 cyclone.
On 3 March, Alfred began to show characteristics of a subtropical system as it moved over cooler waters and interacted with cooler air. The Bureau of Meteorology predicted landfall between Friday afternoon and the early hours of 8 March. The cyclone made landfall on Moreton Island at 23:30 AEST on 7 March, with winds of 75 km/h. It was downgraded to a tropical low before crossing the mainland at 06:45 AEST on 8 March.
Cyclone Alfred caused widespread coastal erosion, damaging winds leading to widespread power outages, and structural damage. It also brought widespread heavy rainfall, resulting in severe flooding in the region. There was at least one fatality and an economic loss of US$820 million.
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'Bomb cyclone' hits eastern Australia
Australia is no stranger to cyclones and tropical lows that bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall, and dangerous flooding. In 2025, a powerful 'bomb cyclone' hit eastern Australia, with wind speeds of up to 70 mph and rainfall totals of more than 5 inches in some areas. This resulted in widespread power outages, inundated roadways, and significant travel disruptions. The cyclone formed in the western Tasman Sea and intensified rapidly, with meteorologists labelling it a "bomb cyclone" due to its explosive development.
Local emergency services issued evacuation warnings for low-lying coastal areas and communities near rivers and streams. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued multiple warnings for flooding rain, gale-force winds, and damaging surf. The cyclone caused a 24-hour drop in pressure of about 25 hPa, well above the threshold for a bomb cyclone of 15 hPa. This rapid pressure drop led to the intense rain, wind, and surf that battered the coast.
The cyclone's impact was felt across New South Wales, including Sydney, with the worst conditions expected between Foster and Wollongong, and in parts of Sydney's east. The storm caused flash flooding and power outages, affecting over 30,000 homes and businesses. Air travel was also significantly impacted, with hundreds of flights delayed or canceled at Sydney's main airport. Despite the damage, there were no initial reports of fatalities.
The term "bomb cyclone" refers to a specific type of explosive storm formation. When a low-pressure system transforms from non-existence to a formidable storm within a short period, it can be classified as a bomb cyclone. The expression "bomb" relates to the speed of development, specifically when the reduction in pressure exceeds a rate based on latitude. This rapid intensification can lead to severe weather conditions, as seen in the case of eastern Australia.
In addition to the bomb cyclone, Tropical Cyclone Alfred also impacted Australia's east coast in 2025. Alfred caused flash flooding and exposed weaknesses in the country's vital infrastructure. Queensland, in particular, was affected, with Brisbane in the direct firing line and coastal communities facing damaging winds and massive swells. The cyclone's slow movement prolonged the wild weather, resulting in extended periods of heavy rainfall.
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Record-breaking rain and winds
Australia has been hit by a series of cyclones and extreme weather events in 2025, with record-breaking rain and winds causing widespread damage and disruption.
In early July, a powerful 'bomb cyclone' struck the east coast, bringing 70 mph winds, more than 5 inches of rain, and widespread flooding. This cyclone intensified rapidly north of the Tasman Sea, and its impact was felt across New South Wales, including Sydney, with gale-force winds, flooding, and damaging surf. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of the potential for significant beach erosion, particularly on south-facing beaches. The storm caused power outages, disrupted travel, and led to evacuations in low-lying areas.
Prior to this, in March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred impacted the coast of Queensland and northern New South Wales, resulting in massive swells, damaging winds, widespread rainfall, and dangerous flooding. The cyclone's slow movement prolonged the period of wild weather in these regions. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli urged people to stay away from beaches in the cyclone zone, and flash flooding forced residents to seek refuge on roofs and in trees. The aftermath of Cyclone Alfred also exposed a 180-year-old shipwreck and contributed to a rise in cases of the bacterial infection Melioidosis.
Australia experienced an active tropical cyclone season in 2024/25, with 12 cyclones developing—the most in almost 20 years. This activity highlighted vulnerabilities in the country's infrastructure and led to ongoing discussions about the increasing frequency and intensity of such weather events.
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2024/25 tropical cyclone season
The 2024/25 Australian tropical cyclone season was the most active and first above-average season since 2005/06. The season officially started on 1 November 2024 and ended on 30 April 2025, but tropical cyclones can occur outside of these dates and still count towards the season total. The season recorded an average number of tropical cyclones, but a higher-than-average number of severe tropical cyclones, with at least five expected.
The season had the highest number of severe tropical cyclones since 2005/06, and it was the first non-below-average season since 2018/19. The Southwest Pacific tropical cyclone outlook, issued by New Zealand's National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), predicted six to ten tropical cyclones would occur over the South Pacific Ocean between 135°E and 120°W. Three to four of these were expected to intensify and become Category three, four, or five severe tropical cyclones on the Australian tropical cyclone intensity scale.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (TCWC Melbourne) monitors all tropical cyclones that form within the Australian region, including any within the areas of responsibility of TCWC Jakarta or TCWC Port Moresby. The broader Australian region covers the area south of the equator, between 90°E and 160°E, and includes Australian, Papua Guinean, and Indonesian areas of responsibility.
The tropical cyclone season long-range forecast uses the statistical relationships between historical tropical cyclone numbers and two indicators: the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and the Niño3.4 sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly (relative to the 1991-2020 average). These indicators provide a measure of the atmospheric and oceanic state of El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
In early July 2025, a powerful 'bomb cyclone' struck eastern Australia, causing significant travel disruptions, flooding, and downed power lines.
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Evacuation warnings
In July 2025, a powerful 'bomb cyclone' hit eastern Australia, bringing wind gusts of more than 70 mph and over 5 inches of rainfall in some areas. This resulted in widespread power outages, travel disruptions, and inundated roadways. Local emergency services issued evacuation warnings for low-lying coastal areas, communities near rivers and streams, and areas at risk of structural damage due to coastal erosion.
The State Emergency Service (SES) crews were actively involved in the evacuation process, going door-to-door in Wamberal and North Entrance to ensure residents evacuated to safer locations. Active evacuation orders were also in place for parts of Wamberal and The Entrance due to dangerous coastal erosion, with similar warnings for Burrill Lake and Sanctuary Point following flash flooding.
The impact of the cyclone extended beyond residential areas, affecting transportation and infrastructure. Sydney commuters were advised to avoid non-essential rail travel, and the Central Coast and Newcastle rail line experienced disruptions due to trees falling on overhead wiring.
The cyclone also caused power outages, with utility companies working around the clock to restore electricity. At its peak, over 17,300 homes were without power in Sydney and the Central Coast, and several thousand properties remained without power in the following days.
The Australian Warning System provides a set of action statements for each warning level, offering clearer advice to communities on how to respond. During the cyclone, warnings included preparing to evacuate, leaving immediately if unprepared, and taking shelter. These warnings are designed to provide consistent guidance across Australia, ensuring that people know what actions to take when facing various hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
Tropical cyclones are low-pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters. A tropical low becomes a cyclone when there are wind gusts of more than 90km/h around its centre. When the wind gusts reach 165km/h, it’s categorised as a severe tropical cyclone.
There is an average of five cyclones each season in Australia. One or two may cross the coast as a severe tropical cyclone. The coastline between Broome and Exmouth is the most cyclone-prone region in Australia. The 2024-25 Australian cyclone season was the most active since 2005-06.
It's important to stay informed by checking reliable sources of information, such as radio, when power and communications are likely to be lost. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) and the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) work together to provide warning levels that reflect the risk to life or property before, during, and after a cyclone.
