A tropical cyclone is expected to form over the Coral Sea but poses no immediate threat to coastal towns.

A developing low pressure system in the monsoon trough dumped heavy rain on the Central Coast late yesterday and overnight with widespread falls of 50 and 150mm between Mackay and Bowen.
 
The heaviest falls were just inland, with 169mm at Mt William and 151mm at Stafford Crossing.The rain generally wasn’t as heavy as during the previous 24 hours, when Mt William recorded a whopping 300mm. The past three days have amounted to nearly 600mm for the hinterland location.

The low was situated about 620km northeast of Mackay overnight and intensifying, with a high risk of cyclone development by later today or Friday.

Residents can breathe a sigh of relief for the time being, however, as the system is forecast to track to the
east-northeast, drawing moisture away from the coast. The low is then expected to remain well offshore until at least the weekend.

While the system poses no immediate threat, Queensland is not in the clear yet with indications that the system may take a westward track towards the coast early next week.

WW & Weatherzone