Fiji's Meteorological Service says the tropical storm to the northwest of New Caledonia has developed into a tropical cyclone.

It said tropical depression 10-F has been upgraded into a category one cyclone and named tropical cyclone Fili.

The cyclone is currently moving west at about 10 kilometres per hour and intensifying.

Fiji's met service said cyclone Fili is expected to intensify further into a category 2 system while tracking close to New Caledonia.

It said the cyclone could potentially bring destructive storm force winds and heavy rainfall over New Caledonia from as early as midnight tonight.