Two cyclones could hit Australia within a week

Australia could be impacted by two cyclones within the next week, with one bearing down on the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and another potentially forming off the Queensland coast on Monday.

Tropical Cyclone Anggrek, currently a category one storm, is moving slowly south and is forecast to pass to the west of the islands on Thursday night or Friday morning, bringing potentially damaging wind gusts and increased rainfall, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The slow-moving system may also cause rough seas, moderate swell and flooding of low-lying areas on the northern side of the islands."It is expected to gain strength over the next 48 hours as it drifts south," a spokesperson from Weatherzone said.

Meanwhile, a tropical low is developing in the Coral Sea, well off the Queensland coast.

It is expected to strengthen during the weekend and most likely become a tropical cyclone by Monday.

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The Bureau predicts there is a significant risk that the system will impact the Queensland coast, possibly severely, during next week, however it is too early to say when or where.

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According to Weatherzone, "there are early signs that it may track back towards Australia's east coast mid-to-late next week".

"This will be a system to keep a close eye on over the coming week."