Cyclone Gretel to form off Queensland coast tomorrow night

A tropical low off the coast of north Queensland is forecast to develop into a cyclone.

Provisionally named Gretel, the system will form about 10pm on Friday and steer away from the coast, the Bureau of Meteorology's Rosa Hoff said on Thursday.

"The tropical low currently north east of Cooktown will be moving towards the southeast and intensify into tropical cyclone strength tomorrow night," she said.

Extensive damage is not expected as the cyclone will move away from land as it intensifies.

Warnings for strong winds and gales are in place from Cairns to the NSW border. The wind is also expected to whip up large waves.

"With an active monsoon and strong winds along the coast we have seen some higher rainfall totals particularly in areas where the winds are strong," Ms Hoff said.

Heavy rain that has been inundating the the state's far north is expexted to ease tomorrow.