The first tropical cyclone of the season is “likely” to form over the Coral Sea this week, but it’s too early to know if it will cross Australia’s east coast.
The tropical low is currently sitting over the Solomon Islands, about 1000 nautical miles north-east of Cairns.
It’s expected to develop into a tropical cyclone today, however meteorologists have warned there is a “high degree of uncertainty” in the forecast beyond tomorrow.
The forecast will make it difficult accurately predict the cyclone’s track and strength from Thursday onwards, Weatherzone said.
If the tropical low does form into a cyclone in Australia’s patch, it will be called Cyclone Jasper.
The system has a “high chance” of becoming a severe tropical cyclone, either category 3 or higher, from Thursday, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“It is expected to intensify further over following days as it continues on a general south-southwest track and moves into central parts of the Coral Sea,” the bureau said.
“During next week there is a chance that the system could move into the vicinity of the Queensland coast.”
Residents living in Cairns have been warned to keep an eye on the forecasts over the coming week.
(9 NEWS)
