‘Perfect conditions’ in Coral Sea could lead to cyclone forming off north Queensland

The monsoon trough that has flooded north and western Queensland could become a cyclone as it hovers over the Coral Sea, where conditions that would allow the system to intensify are “perfect”, forecasters say.

Hermit Park resident Kevin Warren helps clean his neighbour's Hodel Street home following the floods. Picture: Evan Morgan

THE monsoon trough that has flooded north and western Queensland could become a cyclone as it hovers over the Coral Sea, forecasters say.

The Bureau of Meteorology says conditions are perfect for the system to gain strength offshore, and potentially head back toward the east coast.

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“We don’t want to alarm people yet because it is not certain, but we can’t completely rule it out,” forecaster David Crock said on Friday.

Flood-hit Townsville copped another 170mm of rain in the past 24 hours but the trough is weakening.

A few showers are expected on Friday as the system peters out and moves offshore.

Mr Crock says computer models suggest the trough could interact with a broad low-pressure system way out in the Coral Sea near New Caledonia and Vanuatu.

Any more rain in already sodden catchments in the state’s north and west would be deeply unwelcome,as communities there recover from record flooding.

“That would be obviously the worst case scenario and there is no indication yet. Fingers crossed that does not happen,” Mr Crock said.

“Once it is out over the sea, it is a very different system. The ocean is warm and it is the right time of year for cyclones to form, so there is a lot in its favour to form into a cyclone.”