Cyclone Alfred has formed in the northern Coral Sea and could track towards the Queensland coast next weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The category 1 cyclone, currently on a slow-moving path 930 kilometres from Cairns, is forecast to turn southeast and then south through to the middle of the week while intensifying to category 3.

“There is high confidence Alfred will remain well off the Queensland coast until at least late in the week,” the bureau says.

“Beyond that, the track becomes highly uncertain and there is a risk it will move closer to the central Queensland coast over the weekend.” 

The bureau is also monitoring Cyclone Bianca, which is at category 2 strength in the Indian Ocean to the west-northwest of Exmouth.

Bianca is expected to remain well away from the WA coast as it moves south. It is forecast to weaken to a tropical low by Wednesday night.

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