Tropical Cyclone Jasper develops over Solomon Sea
Tropical Cyclone Jasper has developed over the Solomon Sea, marking the first cyclone to develop in Australia's area of responsibility this season.
Jasper is predicted to intensify and track south-west towards the northeast Coral Sea, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
"There is a high chance Jasper will intensify into a severe tropical cyclone by late Wednesday," the weather bureau said.
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Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Laura Boekel said if the tropical low develops into a cyclone it will be named Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Nine
The system is likely to move through the central Coral Sea as a severe tropical cyclone over the weekend.
From early next week, the system may move near the Queensland coast.
Australia could experience its first cyclone of the season next week in what would be an "unusual" development for an El Niño year.
A low-pressure system near the Solomon Islands is expected to potentially develop into a tropical cyclone in the coming hours.
Bureau of Meteorology Senior meteorologist Laura Boekel there was less certainty over whether the system would track towards the Queensland coast.
"At this stage, there is a chance that it could move towards the Queensland coast," Boekel said.
"That is something we're obviously monitoring very closely."
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The Bureau of Meteorology has encouraged residents to stay up to date with its track map and the latest warnings.
"This would be the first Australian cyclone of the season," Boekel said.
Earlier today Boekel said if the cyclone develops, it will be the earliest tropical cyclone Australia has seen in El Nino years.
"It's very rare to see a cyclone developing earlier in the season when we have El Nino," Boekel said.
"This will be the first time that we've seen a tropical cyclone in Queensland waters in December in an El Nino year."
"In terms of El Nino, when we are seeing that climate driver, we typically see less number of cyclones and we also see the cyclone season starting a bit later.
"That's just the way El Nino influences the climate.
"To see this earlier in the season and in December in an El Nino year is unusual."
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