A tropical depression over the Solomon Islands is being watched closely by meteorologists and climate experts alike in case the deep low pressure system forms into a second, rare early season cyclone.

This month, Cyclone Raquel became the first July cyclone in Australia’s eastern region.

Jess Carey, a spokesman from the Bureau of Meteorology’s Queensland office, said there was only about a one in five chance that the low over the islands would develop into a cyclone.

Conditions are not yet conducive for the low to form into a cyclone-strength storm but they might be “enhanced” over the weekend or early next week.

Naming rights for the event, should it become a cyclone, depended on whether it formed in Australia’s eastern zone or Fiji’s area of coverage, he said.

Even if winds don’t reach cyclonic strength, the system could still bring damaging winds and heavy rains to the Solomons or other areas.