Karlie Brady

Journalist

The Bureau of Meteorology is keeping a close eye on a tropical low that could potentially form into a Tropical Cyclone in the Coral Sea next week.

Meteorologist Jonathan How said a tropical low has developed off the coast to the northeast of Cairns and will bring heavy rain for coastal regions in far North Queensland over the coming days.

“Conditions are favourable for it to develop into a tropical cyclone next week, but there is still uncertainty as to its movement and development, and where we'll see the heaviest rain,” he said.

“The system is sitting northeast of Cairns and for now isn’t much more than a mass of clouds and thunderstorms, but it is poised to become organised and strengthen over the coming days.

“Computer model guides show the low staying fairly stationary over the coral sea where warm sea surface temperatures above 28 degrees will provide plenty of fuel for its development. However, a limiting factor will be its proximity to land.

“Into next week through, its track becomes more uncertain with some models keeping it hugging the coast for longer while others move it away more quickly.”

An Initial Flood Watch has already been issued for parts of the tropical northeast coast between Mission Beach and Rollingstone in anticipation of heavy rain.

Catchments are saturated after a wet February with widespread 500-800 mm having already been recorded, meaning some rivers will rise quickly.