A tropical cyclone is expected to form over the Coral Sea either late today or tomorrow, but is likely to track eastwards in coming days and draw moisture away from the coast, according to Weatherzone. 

The monsoon trough has already dumped heavy rain on Queensland's central coast with widespread falls of 50 and 150mm recorded between Mackay and Bowen in the 24
hours to 9am on Wednesday.

The heaviest falls were just inland, with 169mm at Mt William and 151mm at Stafford Crossing.

Weatherzone reported last night that the low was situated about 620km northeast of Mackay on Wednesday afternoon and intensifying, with a high risk of cyclone development by late Thursday or Friday.

However the system was forecast to track to the east-northeast, drawing moisture away from the coast.

The low is then expected to remain well offshore until at least the weekend. 

"While the system poses no immediate threat, Queensland is not in the clear yet with indications that the system may take a westward track towards the coast early next week," Weatherzone's Mellissa Mackellar said.