HIGH winds have been experienced and a severe weather warning issued for parts of North Queensland, with a tropical low expected to form into a cyclone on Saturday.
But Cyclone Gretel, which may make category two strength on the weekend, is expected to move east south east away from the Queensland coast.
A coastal crossing is unlikely, and heavy rainfall experienced in the north this week will subside.
At 10am, the low was located about 385km north east
of Cairns and 210km northwest of Willis Island.
Damaging winds with gusts of around 100km/h were occurring around exposed parts of the Whitsunday islands and adjacent coastal areas, including Bowen and Proserpine.
Hamilton Island Airport recorded multiple wind gusts above 90km/h overnight, with a recent peak gust of 104 km/h at 2:34 am.
Bureau of Meteorology meteorologist Andrea Peace said parts of northern and coastal Queensland had experienced heavy rain and gale force winds over the last couple of days as the low moved into the Coral Sea.
"The low itself is now well to the north east of cairns and is expected to move away from the Queensland coast over the next few days," Ms Peace said.
"At this stage the system is rated a high chance of forming into a tropical cyclone on Saturday and it likely to continue to intensify into a category two system early on Sunday."
Ms Peace said the cyclone would pass to the north east of Norfolk Island early next week, however she said gale force winds may develop late on Sunday or Monday.
She said gusts over 120km/h may be experienced.
"At this stage it's a little too early to say whether the system will maintain tropical cyclone structure as it nears the island, but regardless it has potential to have tropical cyclone like impacts including very heavy rainfall, damaging surf and those destructive winds," Ms Peace said.
