Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred is inching closer to the Queensland coast, bringing intense winds and wild surf. The system remains over the Coral Sea, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting strong to gale-force winds across the southern Great Barrier Reef Islands and extending to K'gari this weekend.

Australia’s east coast is closely watching Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which has been churning and strengthening over the Coral Sea. Although the storm is expected to stay offshore for now, it’s still set to bring gusty winds, rising swells and hazardous surf conditions to Queensland’s heavily populated coastline in the coming days.

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.

Coastal communities from Central Queensland south to the New South Wales border are being warned to expect some dangerous coastal conditions and

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is forecast to continue to weaken over the weekend. The storm is expected to make a turn and move close to Queensland's coast, bringing rainfall to areas from Rockhampton to Bundaberg,

Story by Caitlin Powell For Daily Mail Australia and Savannah Meacham For Aap • 23m. 1 / 10 ©Weatherzone