Tropical low forming off Queensland coast should stay offshore, forecasters say

A tropical low forming over the Coral Sea off the coast of Queensland has only a small chance of becoming a tropical cyclone, forecasters say.

The low, 23U, sitting to the north-east of Townsville, is expected to remain offshore across the rest of this week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

"We are forecasting a tropical low to form over the Coral Sea," Bureau meteorologist Jonathan How said.

READ MORE: Ex-cyclone Mitchell crosses WA coast amid flood warnings

"It will remain offshore of the Queensland coast through the rest of the week, with just a low chance of becoming a tropical cyclone at this stage."

Only isolated showers and storms are expected for Queensland's coast across the week, with more severe storms possible in the state's south-west.

"Showers and storms for the far north of the state, also through the south-west, and becoming more widespread for most inland areas through the afternoon and also the evening.

"There is a chance of heavy rain about the far south-west of the state with severe thunderstorms."

North Queensland has already faced a cyclone this year, with ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji crossing the north-east coast of Queensland on January 11, weakening from a category 1 cyclone to a tropical low as it moved over land.

The region had already been battered by heavy rain and widespread flooding, with more than one metre of rain falling in some places within a week in early January.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the country, ex-cyclone Mitchell made landfall as a tropical low system in Western Australia overnight.

The category 2 storm weakened enough to lose cyclone status before it crossed the coast at Shark Bay.

The region is forecast to receive more heavy rain and damaging winds today.