The Bureau said the slow southward movement had delayed the expected crossing time.
"The system may intensify further over the next 24 hours and is likely to reach at least category 2 before landfall," the Bureau said.
At 1am the system was 75km east southeast of Cooktown and 140km northeast of Cairns, moving south southeast at 7km/h.
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Cairns Central will be closed on Monday, January 18. Picture: Peter Carruthers
Cairns Central shopping centre has already announced it will be closed on Monday as the storm approaches.
"Cairns Central centre management will continue to monitor the situation closely, and will act according to the advice of emergency services," the shopping centre advised on Sunday night.