cyclone monica

The second cyclone in less than a month is heading towards the far north Queensland coast.

Cyclone Monica is a category 1 system and is in the Coral Sea about 620 kilometres north-east of Cooktown.

It is heading slowly west and should reach Cape York by Wednesday.

Senior forecaster Jeff Callaghan says it is likely the cyclone will also gain strength.

"It's looking favourable for intensification right up until landfall and it's fairly rapidly intensifying at the moment," he said.

"So it's got a good chance of getting up to a severe tropical cyclone."

A cyclone watch has been declared for coastal and island communities between Torres Strait and Cape Melville.

It is the second cyclone to threaten the Queensland coast in recent weeks after cyclone Larry caused widespread damage last month.

Dave R.