
Rain showers a possibility on Christmas Day
UPDATE:
BUREAU of Meteorology meteorologist Nicholas Shera confirmed a tropical low was forming in the monsoon trough in the Arafura Sea, north of the Tiwi Islands.
The low is expected to develop further early this week, moving southwest into the Timor Sea, and the likelihood it will develop into a tropical cyclone increases late on Tuesday or on Wednesday.
Mr Shera said it was too early to tell what the low might do after that.
If it did develop into a tropical cyclone, there is a possibility it could affect parts of North Queensland before the new year.
"We're saying there's a very low chance of any cyclone forming in the Coral Sea, but as far as the Gulf of Carpentaria is concerned ... there's a low chance today and a moderate chance on Tuesday or Wednesday," Mr Shera said.
"It's too early in the games to make those kinds of predictions (about landfall) right now."
Mr Shera said the bureau was monitoring the situation closely and would quickly warn the public should a dangerous situation develop.
Meanwhile, Mr Shera said the region could expect some rain and possible storms this week, including on Christmas Day.
"We are seeing on the radar right now there's some isolated shower activity to the south of Mackay," he said.
"Mackay itself isn't looking too bad today (Monday). There's a possible shower today, a possible morning shower tomorrow (Tuesday) and by tomorrow afternoon it should be mostly sunny.
"And should be mostly sunny Wednesday and Thursday, although on Thursday there's a chance of a shower or storm, but mostly pretty good weather.
"On Friday going into the weekend we have the possibility of some more coastal showers. Heading into Christmas Day, we're saying there's a medium chance of some showers about on Christmas Day, although with not much in them."
Mr Shera said areas inland from Mackay, such as Moranbah, may see a few more storms than coastal areas heading into Christmas.

TROPICAL CYCLONES
Cyclones which hit Australia in the last decade
Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi
When: 30 January - 3 February 2011
Tropical Cyclone Anthony
When: 23 - 31 January 2011
Severe Tropical Cyclone Zelia
When: 14 - 18 January 2011
Tropical Cyclone Robyn
When: 1 - 7 April 2010
Tropical Cyclone Paul
When: 22 March - 3 April 2010
Tropical Cyclone Sean
When: April 2010
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ului
When: 12 - 21 March 2010
Tropical Cyclone Olga
When: 19 - 30 January 2010
Severe Tropical Cyclone Magda
When: 19 - 24 January 2010
Tropical Cyclone Neville
When: 14 - 23 January 2010
Severe Tropical Cyclone Laurence
When: 8 - 23 December 2009
Severe Tropical Cyclone Ilsa
When: 17 - 24 March 2009
Severe Tropical Cyclone Hamish
When: 5 - 12 March 2009
Tropical Low Gabrielle*
When: 28 February - 6 March 2009
Severe Tropical Cyclone Freddy
When: 3 - 13 February 2009
Tropical Cyclone Ellie
When: 31 January - 2 February 2009
Tropical Cyclone Dominic
When: 24 - 27 January 2009
Tropical Cyclone Charlotte
When: 11 - 12 January 2009
Severe Tropical Cyclone Billy
When: 15 December 2008 - 5 January 2009
Tropical Cyclone Anika
When: 17 - 22 November 2008
Tropical Cyclone Jasper
When: 2009/2010
Tropical Cyclone Durga
When: 20 - 25 April 2008
Tropical Cyclone Rosie
When: 20 - 24 April 2008
Severe Tropical Cyclone Pancho
When: 23 - 30 March 2008
Tropical Cyclone Ophelia
When: 1 - 6 March 2008
Severe Tropical Cyclone Nicholas
When: 11 - 20 February 2008
Tropical Cyclone Helen
When: 1 - 7 January 2008
Tropical Cyclone Melanie
When: 27 December 2007 - 2 January 2008
Tropical Cyclone Guba
When: 15-19 November 2007 W, N ,E
Tropical Cyclone Lee-Ariel
When: 11 - 15 November 2007
Unnamed Tropical Cyclone
When: 29 - 30 July 2007
Tropical Cyclone Pierre
When: 16 - 17 May 2007
Severe Tropical Cyclone Kara
When: 23 - 30 March 2007
Severe Tropical Cyclone Jacob
When: 3 - 12 March 2007
Severe Tropical Cyclone George
When: 27 February - 10 March 2007
Tropical Cyclone Nelson
When: 5 - 7 February 2007
Tropical Low Isobel
When: 30 December 2006 - 5 January 2007
Severe Tropical Cyclone Monica
When: 17 - 25 April 2006
Tropical Cyclone Hubert
When: 2 - 7 April 2006
Severe Tropical Cyclone Glenda
When: 27 - 31 March 2006
Severe Tropical Cyclone Floyd
When: 18 - 27 March 2006
Severe Tropical Cyclone Wati
When: 19 - 26 March 2006
Severe Tropical Cyclone Larry
When: 17 - 20 March 2006
Tropical Cyclone Emma
When: 26 February - 1 March 2006
Tropical Cyclone Kate
When: 22 - 23 February 2006
Severe Tropical Cyclone Jim
When: 27 January - 1 February 2006
Tropical Cyclone Daryl
When: 17 - 23 January 2006
Severe Tropical Cyclone Clare
When: 6 - 11 January 2006