Fewer cyclones expected this season

Fewer cyclones are expected in northern Australia this season due to the strong El Nino cycle in the Pacific Ocean, but residents are still being urged to start preparing their properties.

The average number of tropical cyclones between November and April over the past 45 years has been 11, but the Bureau of Meteorology says in its 2015-16 tropical cyclone season outlook that there won't be so many this season.

Climate prediction services manager Andrew Watkins says people in the tropics should still be preparing.

"While El Nino is typically associated with fewer cyclones and a later start to the season, there has never been a cyclone season without at least one tropical cyclone crossing the Australian coast," he said.

Dr Watkins said even tropical cyclones well offshore could have significant effects on coastal areas and small cyclones could devastate communities.

"In January 2013, Oswald caused major flooding for virtually the entire Queensland coast as it tracked steadily south as an ex-tropical cyclone, or tropical low," he said.