A tropical low in the Gulf of Carpentaria will likely form a cyclone on Sunday afternoon, and is expected to bring rainfall of up to 300mm in some areas in the next 24 hours.

The weather system is tracking in a northwesterly direction around 250km west of the Queensland and Northern Territory border.

Communities along the Gulf of Carpentaria remained on high alert on Saturday. Credit:BoM Queensland

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned it will likely swing back over water early on Sunday to form a category one cyclone at about 4pm, with rainfalls of up to 300mm expected in the Gulf islands and along the coast.

Remote communities along the Gulf of Carpentaria remain on high alert as heavy rain and winds lash the region.