Warning has been issued as Tropical Cyclone Trevor approaches north coast of Queensland.

Tropical Cyclone Trevor has cranked up to a category 3 storm, and could reach category 4, as it prepares to cross the Queensland coast most likely on Tuesday afternoon.

Category 3 systems typically include sustained winds near the centre of 120km/h with wind gusts of up to 165km/h. With Trevor, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned the “very destructive core” could see extreme gusts up to 205km/h.

On Tuesday morning it was sitting 140 kms east of Lockhart River travelling at 7km/h.

On its current trajectory, Trevor will make landfall south of Lockhart River this evening.

Warnings have been issued for Orford Ness to Cape Flattery, extending across the Cape York Peninsula to Pormpuraaw and Mapoon, including Weipa and Coen.

Residents are being told to prepare for the cyclone by securing boats and property with damaging winds and heavy rainfall expected over the next few days.

Forecasters have said while it will weaken as it travels across the Cape York Peninsula, it may only drop to a category 1 storm before powering up again in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Slow moving, it could bring a deluge of rain to the state’s north over the coming days.

“It’s already bringing gales and there’s going to be heavy rains cross the Cape York Peninsula with around 400mm likely in that region,” said Sky News Weather channel meteorologist Rob Sharpe.

Severe tropical cyclone Trevor has intensified to category 3. Landfall expected this evening. #CycloneTrevor. https://t.co/rVLE6i5J4y pic.twitter.com/UT18EPY6z1 — Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 18, 2019

If you’re at risk of being isolated by floodwaters, ensure you have enough medication in the event you cannot reach a pharmacy or doctor. — Queensland Ambulance (@QldAmbulance) March 18, 2019

“In Cairns, rain, showers and storms will be heavy at times with a weekly total most likely between 200-400mm. Townsville looks to escape the heavy falls with a weekly total likely to slot between 60-120mm.

“As we move through the week that system will move into the gulf before re-deepening into a tropical cyclone and then moving into inland areas of the Northern Territory. That's good news for farmers in Queensland and New South Wales who will see extra moisture.”

Indeed, the entire east coast could see soggy conditions for much of this week. That comes after parts of Sydney and Brisbane were hit with an entire month’s rain over the weekend — sometimes in just a few hours.

BRISBANE AND SYDNEY

While southern areas of Queensland may be out of the cyclone impact zone, that doesn’t mean the weather is going to be entirely settled.

“There will likely be further storms and showers for New South Wales and Queensland for the following days, on and off, and we could see the odd severe thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening,” Mr Sharpe said.

It will be a warm week in Brisbane, reaching 33C on Tuesday and 24C on Wednesday with possible showers.

Sydney could see heavy showers on Tuesday with up to around 20mm falling with possible downpours every day towards the weekend. Temperatures around the mid twenties are expected in the Harbour City.

OTHER CAPITALS

Similar conditions to Sydney are forecast in Canberra this week with showers but some sun creeping through. Temperatures should hover around 25C today and then 27C for the rest of the week.

It’s far more settled south of the Murray. Melbourne will see pleasant autumn days with temperatures in the mid twenties this week rising to 30C on Friday.

A warm week ahead for #Victoria, with maximum temperatures well above the March average in most locations until Friday! #Gippsland is the exception where showers are likely in the coming days. More forecasts: https://t.co/b4cw3HrtgC #VicWeather pic.twitter.com/Y1N0wHZ2fw — Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) March 17, 2019

Across the Bass Strait expect some showers. It will be around 20-23C in Hobart on mostly cloudy days.

It’s warm and sunny in Adelaide with most days in the late twenties.

Perth will be the standout in terms of heat. Expect 34C today, humid conditions and a possible storm. But it should start to cool as the weekend draws near.

Expect mid-30s in Darwin and calm conditions but storms later in the week.