A cyclone warning remains in place for north Queensland, with conditions forecast to intensify on Friday morning, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Tropical Cyclone Dylan is expected to continue moving towards the coast crossing between Townsville and Bowen on Friday morning.
The cyclone and a strong ridge of high pressure further south are combining to generate gales at times along much of the east coast between Cardwell and St Lawrence. Winds are expected to increase further between Lucinda and StLawrence overnight and extending to adjacent inland areas later Friday morning.
Destructive wind gusts to 150 kilometres per hour are possible near the centre.
Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected about coastal and adjacent inland areas of the Herbert and Lower Burdekin and the Central Coastand Whitsundays districts.