THE Far North has recorded its second cyclone of the season, with cyclone Jasmine intensifying to a category 2 while heading out into the Coral Sea.

But while the weather bureau anticipates the system will form a category 3 by 4pm today, it is on track for Vanuatu and is not set to hang around the Far North.

Meteorologist Michael Knepp said he was "fairly confident" that the system would keep heading further east and by this morning would be about 1200km from Cairns.

"There’s really a zero per cent chance that it’s going to affect Queensland, further south there may be some swells but the north should be protected by the Reef," he said.

Cyclone Jasmine formed from the tropical low that swept across from the Gulf early on Saturday, a side effect of which were the strong winds that caused damage in an area stretching from Babinda to Mossman.

"The forecast for next week is quieter but there is still the chance of showers and thunderstorms," Mr Knepp said. "But there’s nothing too dramatic on the outlook."

Mr Knepp said Saturday’s winds were strengthened by the down slope off the ranges, which can make it difficult to calculate the expected intensity.

"One of the forecasters did brief the EMQ and mention a change in gusty winds, but maybe the full strength was not forecast," he said.

"We don’t have any measurements for those areas, they are at Cairns airport, so it can be hard to forecast or measure the strength of the down slope winds."

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