Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified into a category four system but the latest modelling suggests the chance of it making landfall has decreased, according to the BOM.

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.

Evacuation from a popular tourism destination in Australia's Queensland state began on Thursday as Tropical Cyclone Alfred has intensified into a category three system, public broadcaster ABC reported.

The cyclone is expected to keep offshore well into next week but communities along the coast from central Queensland south are preparing for the worst.

There is a high probability Cyclone Alfred, currently around 1,000 kilometres offshore, will cross one of the most highly populated stretches of the Australian coast next week.

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

Whether it crosses the Queensland coast or curls away from the mainland, Tropical Cyclone Alfred will make its presence felt in the south-east.

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