The storm would be named cyclone Ilsa should it rapidly intensify.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a tropical cyclone outlook for the northern region yesterday afternoon, as the tropical low over the Solomon Islands moved towards the northern coastline.

Forecaster Vikrash Prasad said there was a 20 per cent chance the weak low currently located south-west of Rennell Island in the Solomons would develop into a tropical cyclone.

"Environmental conditions may gradually become more favourable for development by Thursday, however the probability of it becoming a tropical cyclone in the next three days is low," Mr Prasad said.

"It is still unclear if it will impact the mainland at all."

Although there was no immediate threat to the far north coastline, by Friday, the tropical low will be 600 nautical miles due east of Cairns.

Ironically, the weather system could create drier conditions in north Queensland at the weekend by drawing in all available moisture in the surrounding atmosphere as it moves towards the coast.

The bureau said wet weather in the coming days would be the result of normal trough activity, ahead of a mostly fine weekend.