The cyclone's path beyond Saturday remains unclear but communities along the coast from central Queensland south are preparing for the worst.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred has strengthened into a category three system, with winds of up to 150 kilometres per hour at its centre.

A tropical cyclone has intensified to a category three system off one state's coast as uncertainty remains over its path next week.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred has strengthened to a Category 3 storm and its path is becoming clearer — with Queensland residents warned to stay alert for updates. Alfred is slowly moving south through the Coral Sea and is forecast to continue to move generally south while slowly strengthening.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is a high probability of crossing one of the most highly populated stretches of the Queensland coast by early next week.

Alfred was a tropical cyclone in the Coral Sea Tuesday morning Eastern time, the Joint Typhoon Warning Center said in its latest advisory. The tropical cyclone had sustained wind speeds of 86 miles per hour,

Tropical Cyclone Alfred has formed off the coast of Queensland, with predictions it could strengthen to a category three within days.

A tropical cyclone is set to intensify as it looms off Australia's coast, with a tracking model predicting a direct hit on one state in the coming days.

Sky News Australia Meteorologist Alison Osborne has examined how Tropical Cyclone Alfred is currently tracking as it travels off the Queensland coast.