Queensland on tropical cyclone alert after huge storm formed in the Coral Sea

Cyclone enthusiasts are closely watching a giant storm forming off the Queensland coast with experts saying there is a chance it could develop into a tropical cyclone.

The storm off the Far North Queensland coast could potentially turn into a freak tropical cyclone according to the Bureau of Meteorology, making it the first recorded in the Coral Sea this early in the year.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Harry Clark said on Tuesday there was a ‘certainly unusual’ chance of a tropical low forming in the Coral Sea over the next week. 

The typical start of cyclone season is in November.

Experts have warned a giant storm off the coast of North Queensland could potentially develop into a tropical cyclone 

‘That system is rated as a low chance of forming a tropical cyclone over the weekend – around a 5-15 per cent chance – but by Tuesday, it does increase to a moderate chance as it moves a little bit more southwest,’ Mr Clark told the Courier Mail.

While there is no immediate threat to the Queensland coast, Mr Clark said the Bureau would continue to monitor the system over the coming days. 

‘It is certainly unusual for you to get one in the Coral Sea, it would be the first time we’ve actually seen one in October there since we began getting reliable records in the 70s,’ he said.

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‘There’s a confluence of tropical climate drivers causing it … there’s the Equatorial Rossby wave which is basically an enhanced area of rising air in the air that can help trigger it.

‘There’s also a weak Madden Julian Oscillation pulses in the area that have just led to a bit of a favourable environment in an atypical time of year for development.’

Cyclone season typically starts in Australia in November (stock image) 

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Harry Clark said there was a ‘certainly unusual’ chance of a tropical low forming in the Coral Sea over the next seven days

Mr Clark said an El Nino weather pattern would likely mean fewer cyclones, with the east of Australia having a 76 per cent chance of having less tropical cyclones than average.

‘That is the general theme with El Nino, which is ironic I appreciate … but we really encourage everyone to use this as a good opportunity to become familiar with the seven day tropical cyclone outlook … and obviously make their preparations ahead of the cyclone season.’

Last month, the Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the onset of El Nino, raising the chances of a blistering hot and dry summer.

It follows a period of global weather records being broken and a series of natural disasters which has seen killer heatwaves and devastating floods in the northern hemisphere.

El Nino is the opposite of La Niña – which brings the floods seen in Australia in recent years – and causes hot, dry weather which can increase the risk of bushfires.