Cyclone season may not officially start until next month but one may soon develop off the Queensland coast, marking a 50-year first.
The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring a storm system off the Solomon Islands with a tropical low expected to form over the coming days.
The bureau says the low could then move into the Coral Sea with a high chance of it developing into an historic cyclone from Tuesday.
It would mark the first time a tropical cyclone has developed in the Coral Sea in October since reliable records began at the bureau in 1970.
"It's unprecedented," the bureau's senior meteorologist Kimba Wong told AAP.
"The reason why they (cyclones) are uncommon at this time of year is that they need warm waters to provide the fuel for them to intensify.
"Typically in the spring months we have the coldest ocean temperatures (in southern hemisphere)."
The bureau will continue to monitor cyclone developments off Queensland's northeast coast, releasing a new seven-day forecast.
However if a cyclone forms in the Coral Sea in the coming days, it is not expected to threaten the Queensland coast.
"There is a chance that (a tropical low) may move into the northeast Coral Sea (early next week)," a bureau spokesperson told AAP.
"Any (cyclone) system is forecast to remain a long way from the Queensland coast and no direct impacts are expected."
The bureau warned this month Queenslanders could still expect flooding and tropical cyclones despite El Nino promising a hotter and drier summer for Australia.
The cyclone season is usually from November to April, typically peaking in Queensland in February and March.
Ms Wong said there had been reduced tropical cyclone activity for Australia during El Nino years.
However she said there was a potential for that to change this cyclone season judging by current conditions.
"Globally ocean temperatures are the warmest that they have been on record for any month since April," she said.
"So the oceans are holding a lot of heat so that may indicate increased potential for initial fuel for cyclones this season."
