Tropical Cyclone Alfred is expected to intensify into a category three system off the coast of Queensland on Wednesday morning.

The Bureau of Meteorology’s senior meteorologist Dean Narramore said as of 4am (AEST) today, the cyclone was sitting 900 kilometres east of Mackay and 570 kilometres east north-east of Willis Island, an island 450 kilometres east of Cairns.

“Today and tonight, we expect it to very slowly move towards the south-east and slowly intensify as well,” Mr Narramore said.

The system formed off the Far North Queensland coast on Sunday and gained in strength as it travelled south over the Coral Sea.

It is predicted to intensify into a category three system on Wednesday morning and continue at that level through Thursday and Friday, tracking very slowly south and further away from the Queensland coast.

Mr Narramore said there were a range of possible scenarios for the cyclone’s movement over the weekend.

“[The cyclone] could come towards the coast as we move into the late weekend,” he said.

“Some [scenarios see it] continue moving further south, well off the Queensland coast and continuing that well into next week.

“Some even weaken it below cyclone strength as we get towards the weekend into early next week.”

For now, the cyclone is unlikely to have much of an impact on the state’s weather, aside from gusty winds.

“About our coastal communities and our offshore islands, particularly from around Fraser Island all the way out through Townsville, it’s almost looking at no impact to Queensland,” Mr Narramore said.

“That weather is going to continue for much of the week — maybe just some isolated coastal showers and some gusty winds about the Queensland coast.

“Generally, it’s going be a fairly dry, cool to mild and sunny week away from the coast for much of Queensland for much of the week.”

The BOM has issued strong wind warnings for coastal waters on the Townsville coast, Mackay coast, Capricorn coast and Fraser Island for Tuesday and Wednesday.

BOM senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury encouraged people to check the BOM’s track map throughout the week.

“There are a number of different ways this cyclone could track, so our advice at this point in time is for all communities to really just keep a close eye on the forecasts and any warnings that might come out,” she said.

Ms Bradbury said a category three system still had the potential to cause serious damage.

“We could see gusts up to 220 kilometres an hour,” she said.

“So that’s very destructive.”

Residents urged to prepare

State Emergency Service [SES] Rockhampton region controller Jasper Humphries said it was never too early to prepare for a cyclone.

“It’s important with any severe weather events coming up to have a plan, have your emergency plan and make a kit, but also look around your home,” he said.

“If you’ve got any trees or branches on trees that are overhanging your property it would be a good time to get them trimmed now, and any shade sails or any furniture that’s loose in the backyard — if you could remove them and bring them back inside.

“It saves time now so you’re not worrying about it as the events happening or as the event is about to happen … so you can be as prepared as you can.”

Mr Humphries said the SES would continue to monitor the system and urged residents to be familiar with emergency contacts if they required assistance.

“If it’s life-threatening always triple-0, but if it’s storm or water damage, contact SES on 132 500,” he said.

Large swells on horizon

Surf Live Saving Queensland regional operations manager Darren Everard said people should be aware of the possibility of significant ocean swells.

“If there’s a big swell running after rain events and there’s debris coming out of the creeks and the rivers, just be really, really mindful,” he said.

“I’d encourage anyone in a coastal community to be proactive, visit your local council’s disaster dashboard and sign up for the notifications.