Cyclone expected to develop off Queensland coast this weekend
The first cyclone of the season could develop off Queensland this weekend.
One of two weak lows, one south of Papua New Guinea and the other over the Solomon Islands, could form into a cyclone this weekend or early next week.
The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) said there was a moderate chance the lows could develop on Saturday, and a more than 50 per cent chance on Sunday.
They are embedded in a monsoon trough that is expected to drift south over the weekend but was expected to remain offshore of the Queensland coast in the short term.
BoM senior forecaster Jonty Hall said if one of the lows developed it would be called Lam.
He said there was a possibility that one of the lows could make landfall in the middle of next week, but it is unclear if it would have the intensity of a tropical cyclone at that stage.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the Local Disaster Management Group was prepared if the storms became a threat.
"I believe we're ready to go if literally the button is pushed," she said.
"We can only say to people, look, we ask you to be prepared. At this point in time I don't think there's anything to be concerned about but you're better to be prepared, not panicking."
