The low is currently near Vanuatu but moving towards the coast, and will rapidly develop into a tropical cyclone by Wednesday.

By Wednesday night or early Thursday, it may become a severe tropical cyclone.

Areas from Townsville to Bundaberg will have winds up to 70km/h by Wednesday, as the cyclone sits 600-700 kilometres off Townsville.

"It might bring increased showers, but it doesn't look like significant precipitation," Weatherzone meteorologist Yoska Hernandez said.

"Thursday should be the worst day when the low will be closer to the coast, around Mackay to Fraser Island, and the winds will be south-south-east and 80-90km/h.

"The centre of the potential tropical cyclone will be 500km from Rockhampton."

IN OTHER NEWS

A marine wind warning is in place for the Capricornia Coast on Monday, and this will extend to include the Townsville and Mackay coasts on Tuesday.

Wave heights along the coast could reach up to four metres between Rockhampton and Fraser Island on Thursday and Friday.

By Friday the weather system will start moving south-east away from the Queensland coast.

Elsewhere in Queensland, widespread rainfall is expected this week, with up to 100 millimetres in northern parts of the state.