Australia Weather News

The new year may bring a tropical cyclone to Far North Queensland, with locals encouraged to plan ahead for the possibility of a destructive storm.

A cyclone warning has been issued for a stretch of coast from Cape Keerweer to Cape York, taking in the communities of Weipa, Aurukun, and Mapoon.

A broader "watch" alert remains in place for people living in the area from Kowanyama up to the Torres Strait Islands.

The system is currently over the Gulf of Carpentaria and moving west but is expected to turn back towards the Queensland coast tonight.

"[It] is expected to intensify as it moves over Gulf of Carpentaria waters on Monday and, at this stage, it is rated a high chance of forming into a tropical cyclone on Tuesday," a Bureau of Meteorology spokesperson said.

"People between Kowanyama and the Torres Strait Islands should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases."

Residents in Far North Queensland can expect peak gusts of more than 90 kilometres per hour on Monday, particularly near the Torres Strait and Cape York.

As the tropical low develops, it's possible these gale-force winds could extend southwards to Kowanyama on Tuesday.

The low is expected to dump heavy rainfall across Far North Queensland in the coming days, which could cause flash flooding.

Wayne Coutts, regional director of the State Emergency Service, warned tourists not to risk travelling into the Cape region.

"There's been a few tourists that have gone past 'road closed' signs in the Cape and through into Laura and driving on roads that they could easily get stuck [on]," he said.

"We have some tourists that are stuck in China Camp and Wujal Wujal."

Tides are expected to heighten through the Torres Strait.

Some islands may also see water levels approach the highest astronomical tide on the high tide on Monday and Tuesday.

A flood watch remains current for coastal catchments north of Cardwell, including catchments across the Cape York Peninsula.