'Scary' tropical Cyclone Alfred nears Queensland
Along the Gold Coast, both the wind and the swell have been picking up. As Cyclone Alfred moves closer, authorities have advised locals to stay home, although ardent surfers have been exercising caution due to the growing wind. Jeff Weatherall remarked, "This is what we look forward to," while he awaited being picked up from Kirra beach and carried into the large waves by a jet ski. "This is the fifth day straight - I've done nothing but eat, sleep, surf and do it again." Surfers have been busy this week as they await Cyclone Alfred at Kirra Beach, which is well-known for its breakers. Late Friday or, more likely, early Saturday morning is when the cyclone is predicted to make ashore as a category two system. Landfall has been postponed from earlier forecasts because of its recent slowdown and "erratically" changing trajectory, according to meteorologists. "A category two system means winds near the centre up to 95km/h (59mph), with gusts ...
