Severe Tropical Cyclone Mitchell reached Category 3 intensity around 7pm Saturday AWST. Overnight, the system tracked south-west parallel to the Pilbara coast, and is now located offshore from Dampier. Offshore islands have seen the strongest winds so far, with some coastal locations also recording damaging gusts. Some of the strongest wind gusts up to 4am Sunday AWST include: • 169 km/h at Legendre Island, WA • 117 km/h at Varanus Island, WA • 100 km/h at Karratha, WA • 94 km/h at Barrow Island

Why is Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred, more than 900km away from the mainland, already having an impact on the Queensland coast? The cyclone system is generating an easterly swell far out at sea. This swell is large and powerful enough to bring hazardous surf conditions to parts of the central and south-east Queensland coast. A Hazardous Surf Warning is current for the Capricornia Coast and the K'gari Coast. Large waves may combine with high tides to cause coastal erosion and minor inundation ab