Trevor is not exactly the most menacing moniker, but authorities are warning Queenslanders to beware: a cyclone by that name will pack more than a punch when it hits on Tuesday afternoon.

And Tropical Cyclone Trevor may be bigger and more ferocious than forecasters first thought.

Communities are in lockdown amid fears the storm could strengthen to a category four system before it reaches them.

Trevor is expected to reach land as a category three storm just south of Lockhart River about 5pm on Tuesday.

Forecasters think the severe tropical storm could cross the Gulf of Carpentaria and hit the Northern Territory by Saturday.

Homeowners and businesses in far north Queensland are stocking up with food and emergency supplies, and authorities are checking on the vulnerable and elderly, as they prepare for the worst.

Rain has pelted the region ahead of the storm that could bring with it wild wind gusts of up to 220kmh.

Some remote towns are predicted to receive up to 400mm of rain in the next day.

Severe Tropical #CycloneTrevor is located at 13.0 degrees South, 144.93 degrees East, and continues to track to the west as a high-end Category 3 system. Further information at https://t.co/izz7j8aTK4 pic.twitter.com/nZD9olMxGE

— Bureau of Meteorology, Queensland (@BOM_Qld) March 19, 2019

The cyclone warning zone stretches from Orford Ness on the far-north tip of the state to Cape Flattery on the east coast, and Mapoon and Pormpuraaw in the west.

The Bureau of Meteorology also has a watch area in place for areas between Mapoon and Cape York.

– with AAP