Queensland weather: BoM upgrades chance of tropical cyclone forming off coast to 55%

A possible tropical cyclone is on the BoM radar off far north Queensland, as the region reels from the chaotic weather and rain of Cyclone Jasper in December. Photograph: Brian Cassey/AFP/Getty Images

There is a “high chance” of a tropical cyclone hovering off the coast of far north Queensland this weekend as the Bureau of Meteorology warns of the possibility of a “severe” weather event.

The BoM issued a statement on Tuesday warning that a tropical low in the Coral Sea was now rated as having a 55% – or “high” – chance of becoming a tropical cyclone from Sunday.