The 2026 cyclone season in Australia already has everyone's attention, especially with one tropical low off the north-east coast of Queensland that shows high potential of developing into a cyclone.
With such early signals, it just goes to show how cyclones can be unpredictable all across the northern part of Australia. And with the Bureau of Meteorology BOM monitoring such cyclones from November to April, this just emphasises the point, especially when you consider that Aussie gets anywhere from 8 to 10 cyclones each year.
In this Australian tropical cyclone outlook, we explore what you can expect in the 2026 season and how to stay prepared, including having reliable backup power to get you through the post-storm recovery period.
Current Season Outlook and Forecasts
The BOM Australian cyclone outlook for the 2025-2026 season shows uneven periods of quiet, which are then followed by bursts of extreme weather.
Compared to historical averages, there are fewer cyclones experienced, yet there is still the risk that, due to climate change, these cyclones could have more intensity, resulting in floods, coastal area damage, and highly destructive winds.
The Bureau of Meteorology still remains the most reliable source of information for tracking the cyclones and keeping tables with the weather across northern Australia.
And what has been happening lately has been a cause for concern with a tropical low that formed near Townsville and Cairns, with meteorologists informing that the system has the potential to reach category 1 cyclone status with rainfalls of 100-250 millilitres and winds that exceed 100 kilometres an hour. It may also bring with it a high risk of flash flooding and high river rises that could threaten already vulnerable catchments.
Forecasts from the BOM also say that cyclones also develop much further east around the Coral Sea area before later making their way towards the cost which reduces lead time for the coastal communities in the region.
This highlights the need for remaining well-informed and for early preparation. It is always a good idea to have an emergency kit and ensure that you have backup power solutions that will help provide lighting and ensure that communication devices are working and that essential appliances and medical devices are also working.
Risks and Impacts
Multiple hazards are associated with tropical cyclones, even if they don't reach the coast. The BOM says that the associated fast and damaging winds, high rainfall, flash floods, huge waves, and storm surges are still capable of occurring hundreds of kilometers from the cyclone's core. The impact that these have includes damage to infrastructure, electricity, and disruption of transport, with coastal communities being especially at high risk. That said, tons located, i.e., inland, could also be affected, especially during situations of severe flooding
What recently took place in Queensland is a good demonstration of the impact that cyclones have, with the heavy rainfall causing the rivers Tully, Herbert, and others to swell. Low-lying roads were closed, and the farmlands were inundated. Agriculture is affected as well, with loss in livestock, damage to crops, and longer recovery durations. There have been previous travel restrictions in towns such as Cairns and Townsville, followed by the closing of schools as a safety precaution.
Another major concern is storm surge, especially with the sea levels rising. In this case, you don't need a major cyclone to create a coastal inundation, as even a small one is capable of this. Such an inundation can result in damage to ports, homes, and other marine infrastructure. Furthermore, the powerful wave action results in accelerated erosion along the shorelines.
Note also that there are indirect impacts that are significant. For instance, with the sustained power outages, there is disruption to communication, refrigeration, and even water pumping. It also means that people cannot run medical equipment. Not to mention, there will be transport disruptions, which can delay emergency efforts. Furthermore, the long time it takes to clean up after the damage puts a strain on local economies.
By understanding the risks that cyclones bring, both direct and indirect, households are better able to take action, protect livestock, secure their property, and ensure that they are well stocked on emergency supplies. The BOM, as well as local authorities, will help provide reliable information on weather patterns, thus helping in preparedness.
Preparation and Safety Measures
The best way to shield yourself and your loved ones from the effects of cyclones is to ensure preparedness. The BOM requires that everyone secure loose items that are around the house, clear the gutters, trim trees, and ensure well-functioning roofing and drainage systems before the cyclone season.
Households need to stock up on food, medical supplies, water, torches, batteries, and radios, as well as ensure that important documents are kept safe. It is a good idea to download the BOM weather apps on your smartphone as well as keep a listening ear on local council alerts for timely news on flooding, wind damage, and even evacuation advice.
If there is a cyclone that is fast approaching, then people should have the information via the official updates' channels. Whenever there is an evacuation order, this needs to be taken seriously, especially when residing in areas that are prone to flash floods or storm surges.
Travelling needs to be limited during such times, and always ensure you have your windows and your doors secured shut, all while ensuring that all members of the family are in the safest part of the house, which is away from the windows and the doors. Also, ensure direct communication for those in different locations to ensure everyone is safe.
Keep in mind that even after the cyclone passes, there will still be hazards left behind. There can be dangerous debris hiding under floodwaters, including live wires and damaged road surfaces.
This is why the authorities will advise that you check on your neighbours, especially the very young and the old. Wait to get official clearance before you can return home to continue with your travels.
When outages occur, you want to have reliable backup power, and portable power stations are an excellent way to keep your lights running, charge your phones, and run medical devices during cyclone season.
One such power station is the BLUETTI Elite 300, offering a 2400-watt output and 3014 Wh capacity. It is compact and can run appliances and other devices efficiently, making it a great choice for households looking for a reliable power backup solution.
For larger households with high energy demands, the BLUETTI Apex 300 is a great choice. It offers 3840W of continuous output and a 2764Wh capacity. It provides great performance during the cyclone season.
Tracking and Warnings
One of the most important things to do during Australia's cyclone season is to stay well-informed. The BOM offers cyclone tracking maps in real time as well as marine warnings and rainfall forecasts via their website and mobile apps.
With such tools, you can understand the cyclone's intensity, wind zones, and movement, as well as the location for potential landfalls and total rainfalls. All this helps you make timely preparations.
And for the warnings, you will receive these in stages and will include warnings for gales and cyclone watches, heavy rainfall and damaging winds, as well as storm surges. You will also get flood watches as well as river height warnings, especially in situations when the cyclones moves slowly and results in longer rainfall durations inland. On top of that, ABC News will often supplement the BOM updates as well.
And the community response measures also play their part in reducing the risk of cyclones, with local councils offering sandbags and reinforcing the drainage systems, as well as activating the emergency management plans.
For example, in Queensland, the authorities will often preposition their emergency personnel and rescue boats in high-risk areas to help shorten response times in case of flooding or wind damage.
And the schools, transport systems, and hospitals also work to adjust their operations according to the BOM advice, all for public safety.
Information is particularly important when it is received early on. That's why you should check information early on and create preparation plans and evacuation strategies for dealing with the cyclone season.
Always ensure that you have reliable tools for communication, such as battery-powered radios and charged mobile phones, to stay in touch with friends and family members who are in a different location.
By combining accurate forecasting from BOM with proactive community and household planning, Australians can reduce injuries, property damage, and recovery time during cyclone events. Awareness and early action remain the strongest defences against the unpredictable nature of tropical weather systems.
And by combining the information from the BOM with household planning, you can keep yourself and your family members safe by preventing injuries and damage to property. Remaining aware and proactive remains the best defence against the cyclone season in Australia.
Conclusion
The 2025-2026 Tropical cyclone outlook shows uneven activity and yet rising intensity. Communities now face greater risk from the powerful winds, flooding, and storm surge. Granted, there has been a great improvement in forecasting and emergency responses, yet it is still highly important to remain prepared. Watch out for BOM warnings and plan for the power outages to help ease your time through the cyclone season. Getting a reliable portable power station, such as the BLUETTI power stations, will help ensure your lighting, communication, appliances, and devices run during prolonged power outages.
