THE first tropical cyclone of the season in Queensland waters formed 1000km east of Townsville. Visit cairns.com.au/cyclone for extended cyclone news and preparation advice.

At 7 am EST today, Tropical Cyclone Fina (Category 1) was located over the Coral Sea near latitude 18.1 south longitude 156.2 east, which is about 1000 km east of Townsville and 810 km east northeast of Mackay.

Weather bureau spokesman Michael Knepp says Cyclone Fina was expected to weaken by mid-afternoon.

"At the moment it poses no threat to the Queensland coast," he said.

"Probably the only thing it will increase is going to be the swells over the weekend, especially Sunday, Monday, so if you are thinking of going to the beach just be aware there might be some powerful surf on those days."

The cyclone is moving south southwest at about 17 kilometres per hour and should gradually weaken over the next six hours.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to maintain a south to southwesterly track during Thursday while weakening during the day. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Fina is not expected to directly affect the Queensland coast.

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