Queensland braces for ‘triple threat’ disaster season as cyclones, floods and heatwaves loom

Queensland is staring down a punishing “triple threat” disaster season, with cyclones, flooding and extreme heatwaves expected to collide over the next six months, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

The bureau says volatile climate conditions, including an extraordinary 15-month run of record-breaking ocean temperatures, will stretch the severe weather season through to the end of April.

Cyclone risk is also rising, with any systems forming off the east coast tipped to rapidly intensify into category-three storms.

Premier David Crisafulli said Queenslanders should brace for “every likelihood” of higher-than-average rainfall, the prospect of a severe tropical cyclone and warmer-than-average temperatures across large parts of the state.

“There’s the likelihood of extra challenges this year, but it’s nothing that Queenslanders can’t handle, and you need to know that we’ve done the work, we are ready, and I have every faith in Queensland as being ready as well,” he said.

Last season delivered three major events — including two destructive floods in Far North and Central Queensland, and ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred smashing into the south-east coast.

The bureau says any cyclones forming in the Coral Sea this year are more likely to reach higher categories and carry an increased chance of crossing the coast.

Warming ocean temperatures are amplifying the threat, with waters around Australia ranking as either the warmest or second-warmest on record every month since July 2024.

Another tropical cyclone affecting the south-east is “possible”, with Bundaberg’s ocean temperatures already sitting at a prime 26C despite summer not having officially begun.

State disaster coordinator Chris Stream said Queensland was now seeing cyclones and flooding more frequently.

“We really do need Queenslanders to be ready this season, and be ready and prepared for anything.

“As I said, the weather can behave abnormally at times and sometimes outside of what we’re generally forecasting there,” he said.

Bureau national production services Brisbane manager Matt Collopy said the state’s severe weather window would run from November through April.

“The persistent higher ocean temperatures around the Queensland coast do increase the likelihood of severe tropical cyclones now, flash and riverine flooding are more common during the severe weather season, and the Bureau’s long-range forecast does indicate an increased likelihood of above-average rainfall for large parts of Queensland.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said preparations for the high-risk season were more extensive than in previous years.

Mr Crisafulli said the Government had taken lessons from last season’s shortcomings and was improving the pre-positioning of assets, bolstering telecommunications and tightening coordination between levels of government.

As the season ramps up, the Premier will also push the Commonwealth to scrap the bureau’s $40,000 paywall that stops councils from receiving real-time weather intelligence.

He said he had not heard back from Canberra about reversing the charge.