The system is predicted to cross the coast as a category two cyclone, between Cardwell and Bowen, bringing damaging winds and heavy rain.
Winds of 140km/h are being forecast for the region between Cardwell and Proserpine, including Townsville and the Whitsunday Islands.
The Bureau of Meteorology says intense rainfall that could cause "dangerous and life threatening flash flooding" is possible after the cyclone crosses the coast.
As we prepare for more severe weather this week, we can't forget the Queenslanders still recovering from Jasper.— Steven Miles (@StevenJMiles) I've just been to see the progress we're making in some of Far North Queensland's remote communities like Degarra, Ayton and Wujal Wujal. pic.twitter.com/bRkhiiqztBJanuary 24, 2024
Once it weakens to a tropical low, the system is expected to move inland, bringing heavy rainfall to central and western Queensland from Friday.
While the tropical low is no longer expected to head south, there could still be an "indirect impact" from the system in the state's southeast, according to the bureau.
"There are still areas of southern and southeast Queensland that could see quite heavy rainfall over the weekend," a spokeswoman said.
"There's still a lot of moisture in the atmosphere and any shower or storm activity we see in the southeast or central parts of Queensland over the long weekend could still produce heavy rainfall and flash flooding as a result of this tropical low."
Kirrily is the second cyclone to threaten Queensland in a month, after Jasper, which was a category two system, caused record flooding that devastated the far north in December.
Premier Steven Miles has urged Queenslanders to prepare for the latest weather event.
"After the cyclone crosses the coast it's likely to weaken to a tropical low, but have very high levels of rainfall associated with it," he said.
"Depending on its path the rainfall is likely to cause flooding in parts of the state."
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