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Cyclone Narelle declared, set to hit Queensland as category 4 storm

Cyclone Narelle has been declared and is expected to hit Far North Queensland as a category 4 storm on Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The bureau said tonight that the low pressure system had built into a tropical cyclone in the northern Coral Sea and was steadily moving west towards the Queensland coast.

It was earlier expected it would make landfall as a category 3 storm.

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A tropical low heading towards the Queensland coastline could develop into a tropical cyclone by the end of the week.

At 4pm (AEST), Narelle was a category 1 storm with winds at its centre of 85km/h and gusts up to 120km/h.

"Narelle is expected to move steadily to the west and approach the far north-east Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Port Douglas. A severe impact is likely late in the week," the bureau said.

The region is on alert for heavy rainfall, flash flooding and high tides.

The bad weather should stay offshore until at least Thursday, meteorologist Dean Narramore said earlier.

"As the tropical low and developing cyclone approach far northern Queensland through Thursday and Friday, those winds will begin to turn more east-south-easterly.

"That will allow rainfall and winds to increase, particularly north of around Townsville and especially along parts of the north tropical coast from Thursday night into Friday.

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"In terms of rainfall, many coastal areas are unlikely to see much over the next couple of days while the system remains further away.

"But as it approaches the coast on Thursday and Friday, heavy rainfall will begin to develop across parts of the north tropical coast."

Once the system crosses the Queensland coast, it is expected to move out into the Gulf of Carpentaria over the weekend and possibly over towards the Top End.

People in the region are advised to stay up to date as the intensity and forecast track map of the system is still unclear.

Flood watches are in place for many areas of far northern Queensland and more widespread heavy rainfall is expected.

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