Category 1 TC Alfred formed in the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria and is now tracking towards the southeast.

However Queensland doesn’t appear to be in the direct firing line with the warning zone stretching from Port Roper to the NT/Qld Border, including Groote Eylandt.

However the “watch zone” extends from the border to Mornington Island.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology heavy rain and squally winds associated with the system are likely.

Category 1 is the weakest category and TC Alfred is forecast to weaken in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria prior to landfall during Tuesday.

However gales with damaging wind gusts to 9km/hr have been observed at Centre Island, on the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria coast.

Damaging gusts up to 100k/ph may develop in squalls along exposed areas of the southwest Gulf of Carpentaria coast and over Groote Eylandt during today.

Sustained gales with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour may develop about coastal and island communities between Port Roper and the NT/Qld border later today as the cyclone moves closer to the coast.

Gales may extend along the Queensland coast west of Mornington Island early on Tuesday if the system takes a more easterly track.

Heavy rain may lead to flooding over the eastern Carpentaria District during today and Tuesday.

Abnormally high tides are expected about the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast during the next few days, but at this stage the sea level is not forecast to exceed the highest tide of the year.

Large waves may produce minor flooding along low lying coastal areas.