As south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales prepare for Tropical Cyclone Alfred to cross the coast, an Australian researcher explains what makes this system so unusual.

Australia's east coast braced on Wednesday for a tropical cyclone that is swirling towards Brisbane, the country's third-most populous city, as authorities warned thousands of properties were at risk due to strong winds and flash flooding.

Satellite imagery can help determine the strength, size and cohesion of a storm. The stronger a storm becomes, the more likely an eye will form in the center. When the eye looks symmetrical, that often means the storm is not encountering anything to weaken it.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred is bearing down on Queensland's southeast coast as a category two system, and could intensify before making landfall on Thursday night.

Australia's east coast is preparing for the arrival of a tropical cyclone that is moving towards Brisbane, the country's third-most populous city. Authorities warned that thousands of properties are at risk from strong winds and flash flooding.

The stadium gig on the Gold Coast slated for Wednesday night (March 5) was the last stop on the Down Under run of the veteran group's "Saviors" tour.

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.

Alfred's intensity may fluctuate in the coming days, but it is expected to make landfall at category 2 strength late Thursday or early Friday morning. It will be the first time the south-east has been in the direct firing line of a tropical cyclone in several decades.