Meteorologists watching potential cyclone with bated breath

Meteorologists will be closely watching a tropical low off Queensland's coast this weekend, with a high chance of a cyclone developing.

Tropical Low "22U" now has a moderate chance of becoming a tropical cyclone on Saturday, with a high chance by Monday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said.

The BoM said there should be more clarity about the cyclone risk, and whether it will come close to making landfall in Queensland over the coming days.

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The BoM said there is now a 60 per cent chance of a cyclone forming by Monday.

"While there is large uncertainty late next week in the forecast track, there is a slight chance of 22U moving towards the Queensland coast," it said this afternoon.

Some weather modelling suggests the low could track as far south as towards the city of Bundaberg, while others forecast it may remain in the Coral Sea.

Meanwhile, the bureau today issued a strong wind warning for the Far North Queensland coastal areas of Cooktown, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Capricornia, Hervey Bay and K'gari.

There is rainfall forecast today for Cairns, Mackay and Rockhampton.

Storms are possible in western and far northern Queensland.

Another tropical low, known as "21U" is developing north-west of the Kimberley in Western Australia.

It will also remain well off the coast of Western Australia in the coming days.

Tropical Cyclone Zelia impacted Western Australia last week.

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