Gale force winds and heavy rain are forecast to lash far north Queensland after tropical Cyclone Owen intensified into a category one system.

The Bureau of Meteorology says the so-called zombie cyclone, located northwest of Mornington Island, is expected to intensify further after it redeveloped into a category one system on Tuesday night, AAP reports.

Forecasters have doubled down on their weather warnings for the week ahead saying a “triple threat” from the cyclone in the north and a strong low pressure system in the south could lead to the “biggest weather event for eastern Australia” since at least March.

While #CycloneOwen is still goin', we'll continue to update the #cyclone forecast track maps on our website. If you or someone you know may be affected, there are tips on reading those maps at https://t.co/JUeZVWeAAY. pic.twitter.com/AvVN8ssAvj — Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 11, 2018

Residents between the Queensland and Northern Territory border have been warned to prepare as the low pressure system gathers strength over the warm waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Gales with gusts up to 110km/h are expected to develop between Cape Shield and the Northern Territory, Queensland border this morning.

Gales could extend to Burketown, including Mornington Island, if the system follows a more southwest track.

A Cyclone 🌀 WATCH is issued when a #cyclone is expected to bring gale-force winds to coastal areas within 48 hours. A Cyclone ⚠️ WARNING is issued when gales are expected within 24 hours or are already occurring: https://t.co/5iQxyRKzFX pic.twitter.com/N9utap829B — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 11, 2018

The cyclone is expected to slow down and turn back towards the Queensland coast on Wednesday or Thursday before forecasters say it could escalate to a category three on Friday if conditions remain favourable.

On Mornington Island, 470km north of Mount Isa, some residents have already begun evacuating as a precaution.

A cyclone watch is current from the Northern Territory’s Cape Shield to Burketown in Queensland, including Groote Eylandt and Mornington Island. The weather system has already dumped flooding rain in Queensland’s far north after crossing the coast near the resort town of Port Douglas early on Monday.

Heavy rainfall is expected throughout the region.

EARLIER

A flood watch is currently in place for tropical northern Queensland because rainfall in excess of 300mm, caused by cyclone Owen passing over on the weekend, has swelled rivers.

Owen passed into the Gulf of Carpentaria early on Tuesday before its resurrection.

“Owen is about to reintensify, hence it’s going to become a zombie cyclone coming back from the dead bringing rain and thunderstorms right across the east and some of these storms bring a triple threat of damaging winds, heavy rain and large hail all likely to occur at some point,” Sky News Weather channel meteorologist Rob Sharpe predicted on Tuesday morning.

There’s still some uncertainty as to where the cyclone will track, but Thursday, Friday and Saturday could be the most hectic days for storms and rain across tropical and central Queensland.

Being further south, the impact on Brisbane could vary but the city could still see 30-90mm of rain over four days beginning with a stormy Friday. It will likely be muggy too with highs touching 30C most days.

Head up to Townsville where from Wednesday until Saturday 65-140mm of rain could drench the city with highs of 31-33C. It’s much the same story in Mackay, Cairns, Charters Towers and everywhere in between.

What will Owen do next? The Low moved into the Gulf of Carpentaria overnight where it is forecast to reintensify to Cat 1 strength as early as tonight. #CycloneOwen 🌀 is forecast to further intensify before turning back toward the #Qld coast. Read more: https://t.co/MgnsScD1fZ pic.twitter.com/Q0833tQPbg — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) December 11, 2018

INTENSE LOW PRESSURE SYSTEM IN SE AUSTRALIA

It’s a low pressure system causing consternation in the southern states.

Heading towards midweek, showers and storms will increase in northern New South Wales, southern Queensland and across Victoria.

Maximum rainfall totals expected later in the week for many cities have now been upped.

Brisbane and Canberra could register 100mm of rainfall, Townsville more like 150mm plus.

Mr Sharpe said eastern Australia was set to face its biggest weather event since at least March.

“Thursday is going to be a big day of weather. Melbourne, Hobart, Sydney, Canberra — all have a chance of severe thunderstorms,” he said.

“Into Thursday, the conditions really get going with a low pressure system bringing heavy falls and the threat of severe storms.

“It’s a big day of weather also spreading into (southern) Queensland.

“Severe thunderstorms on Friday remain a threat in Melbourne and Sydney and will become a threat in Brisbane.

“Some of the storms in eastern and southern Victoria could be pretty wild and into Friday the storm threat will linger on the east coast but may move out of Melbourne.”

Looking at the cites in a bit more detail, showers are a possibility in Sydney most days this week worsening as we head towards the weekend. Maximums of around 23C on Tuesday and up to 29C on the weekend. Between Thursday and Friday between 10-30mm of rain could fall.

In Canberra, possible storms on Thursday will be followed by up to 100mm of rain falling in the run up to Saturday. Highs of around 27-29C.

Moving down to Melbourne, it’s going to be a warm Wednesday with a high of 33C. Most other days will be around the mid-twenties.

Up to 40mm of rain could fall on Thursday with showers for the next four days adding up to 60mm of moisture in total.

Hobart could become waterlogged under 55mm of rain falling from midweek onwards. Wednesday will be the hottest day with the mercury reaching 28C.

Adelaide may not get quite so wet but you’d be advised to pack an umbrella from Wednesday onwards with the heaviest rain falling on Friday. Tuesday will be hot at 35C, Wednesday 32C but it will get sharply cooler on Thursday with a peak of just 20C.

PARCHED IN PERTH

Forecasters have said the low pressure system was likely to “linger” over the south east filling up the rain gauge but becoming less intense on the weekend.

There’s still some uncertainty in the forecast models, Mr Sharpe said, which may mean rainfall totals and exact locations of the downpours vary. But this should firm up as we approach midweek.

Perth, on the other hand, is parched. A sunny week with highs reaching into the low thirties on many days and peaking at 38C on Friday. Darwin will get to 35C and storms are possibility from midweek onwards.