The Bureau of Meteorology expects the cyclone to cross the coast on either Monday night or Tuesday morning and warned conditions were set for it to potentially intensify to a category four system.

However, a BoM spokesman couldn't rule out the possibility of the cyclone becoming a category five, depending on how long it stayed over the ocean, and said there was also the possibility of the system increasing speed and making landfall as early as Sunday night.

Areas from Cardwell to Bowen were in the main firing line, with winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour expected, as well as major structural damage, dangerous airborne debris, wide-spread power outages and flooding. 

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk urged residents in the general warning area, a 1000-kilometre stretch from Cape Tribulation to St Lawrence, to prepare while the weather was favourable.

"We don't know at this stage where the potential cyclone is going to cross land.

"I understand up north today the weather conditions are fine, everything is calm and there are blues skies. 

"This is the time that you should now be preparing."

Ms Palaszczuk said extra emergency services staff had been sent across the region and a decision would be made on Sunday whether to close schools.

After a meeting of the Queensland Disaster Management Committee, Ms Palaszczuk reassured residents "everything that can be done, is being done".

SES director Steve Hallam said on Friday, emergency services were undertaking "a large amount of preparation" in northern Queensland, with crews checking plans, equipment and making sure everything was ready to go.

The Queensland Fire Service sent reinforcements to the affected area, including swift water and urban rescue teams, damage assessment teams as well as additional SES crews.

Mr Hallam encouraged local residents to check their emergency plans, ensure their emergency kit was ready and fully stocked with food, water, clothing, medications, important documents, valuables as well as a battery-powered radio and torch.

He also said to refill gas supplies, ensure yards were clear, check any loose branches and secure loose items such as trampolines and outdoor settings.

"The more people can do now to be prepared, the less impact the weather event will have on them," Mr Hallam said.

Meanwhile, a Townsville motorbike club has planned a cyclone party over the weekend, which saw nine travellers check-in to a local caravan park especially for the party.