Factsheet – Tropical cyclones and climate change

Last updated: 1 Jul 2025

In March 2025 Australia experienced the first cyclone to impact southeast Queensland in more than 50 years. Cyclones have usually occurred in northern Queensland and in tropical waters off Australia’s coast; it is less common for these storms to occur as far south as Cyclone Alfred did.​

The oceans around Australia have warmed by about 1.1°C since 1900. Recent increases in sea surface temperatures have 9 of the 10 warmest years on record occurring since 2010. These warming trends are having wide-ranging effects on global weather, including the characteristics and impacts of cyclones.​

Download the Climate Change Authority’s tropical cyclones and climate change factsheet for more information. 

Factsheet – Tropical cyclones and climate change

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