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.​

Further reading

A view from the village of Flayosc (Var), France with forest fire smoke
Welcome to a new edition of On Good Authority. We look at Europe’s summer of heatwaves and fire, new global energy technology market data, and China’s new…
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Matt Kean CEDA speaking close up
Geopolitical instability exposes the risks of oil and gas dependence, accelerating the drivers towards a clean energy future. Australia is well positioned to…
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Natalie L. Simmons (2023) “Birrang” (Wiradjuri for journey)
The Climate Change Authority recognises that reconciliation has a crucial role to play in the net zero transition.
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