Cyclone Zane may start to weaken off Qld

TROPICAL Cyclone Zane is waxing and waning as it nears the far north Queensland coastline, forecasters say.

The storm was predicted to develop into a category three cyclone but Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Bill O'Connor says it is beginning to weaken.

"We're going through a wax and a wane," he told reporters on Wednesday.

"It looks like at the moment it should ease back but there is the potential as it gets close to the coast that it will kick up."

A cyclone warning is still in place across much of Cape York with gales up to 150km/h and up to 150 millimetres of rain expected to batter some areas.

The cyclone was 300 kilometres northeast of Cooktown on Cape York late on Wednesday and will make landfall at Lockhart River about 9am (AEST) on Thursday.

Strong winds are predicted for coastal areas from Lockhart River to Cooktown on Wednesday evening and the western side of the cape, north of Mapoon, on Thursday.

Heavy rain, which may lead to flash flooding, is expected in areas north of Cooktown from Wednesday evening.

Coastal residents between Orford Ness and Cape Melville are being warned that a dangerous storm tide is likely to come in as the cyclone crosses the coast.

"It does have the potential to just be a tropical low as it moves onto the coast," Mr O'Connor said.

"But there still will be a severe weather warning for heavy rainfall and wind gusts associated with thunderstorms through the area."

Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher says residents spent the day securing items that could be picked up by high winds.

"We're glad that the cyclone has slowed down a bit," he told AAP.

"It's not something new, it's probably our fourth one in 10 years, so people are pretty cyclone savvy."

Disaster management groups, led by local mayors, have been activated along the far North Queensland coastline.

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