UPDATE, 11am: Tropical cyclone Ului has formed near Vanuatu and is heading west, as gale and strong wind warnings remain current for Far North Queensland.
The category 1 cyclone is described as slow moving, and is expected to intensify to category 3 on Monday.
The Cyclone Ului tracking map predicts the cyclone will continue west-northwest, and could cross into the Australian weather burearu's Coral Sea and Northern Tasman Sea monitoring region, west of 160E, by 11pm tomorrow.
Radio New Zealand reported Tropical Cyclone Ului was causing heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts in Vanuatu’s northern group.
The cyclone is one of two currently active. Fiji is preparing for Tropical Cyclone Tomas, which could intensify to a category 4.
Queensland State Government emergency workers have been put on standby and are working with the weather bureau in monitoring Tropical Cyclone Ului.
A gale warning has been issued for the coast south of Cairns to Cape Moreton. Southeasterly winds of 25/33 knots are expected from Cairns to Bowen, increasing to 25/35 knots during this afternoon.
And a strong wind warning is current for the coast north of Cairns to Cape Melville, with southeasterly winds 25/33 knots south of Cooktown, extending northwards this morning.
