UPDATE 10.30am
THE Bureau of Meteorology downgraded the category one cyclone to sub-tropical low just before 10am on Wednesday and it was not expected to intensify.
A severe weather warning for abnormally high tides and dangerous surf was still in place.
The warning says gale force winds at sea were expected to produce large swells along the southern Queensland coast on Wednesday and Thursday.
“This will combine with high tides to cause hazardous conditions within the warning area,” the warning says.
Tides are likely to exceed the highest tide of the year on Thursday morning.
Inundation of low-lying areas is possible at high tide.
EARLIER
TROPICAL Cyclone Linda is expected to produce dangerous surf and abnormally high tides on Wednesday and Thursday.
Tides are expected to exceed the highest tide of the year and low-lying areas could be inundated during the high tide on Thursday morning.
The eastern side of Stradbroke, Moreton and Fraser islands may be affected, as well as Noosa, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Coolangatta.
The category one cyclone is not expected to make landfall.
The Brisbane wave monitoring buoy east of Point Lookout had registered waves of up to nearly 6 metres on Wednesday morning.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey urged boaties not to be complacent about the weather.
“The Bureau of Meteorology advises there will be gale-force winds producing large east to south-easterly swells along parts of the southern Queensland coast from Wednesday,” Mr Bailey said.
“This will create extremely dangerous conditions for boaties and anyone going near open beaches along the southern coastline.
“I urge boaties to postpone planned activities until the weather improves and even then make sure you check before heading out and keep checking while on the water.”
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe warning about 5am on Wednesday for the south-east coast forecast area, as well as parts of the Wide Bay and Burnett.
The warning says the tropical Cyclone Linda was in the Coral Sea about 760 kilometres east north-east of Gladstone and 850 kilometres north-east of Brisbane at 4am.
It was moving south south-west at 26 kilometres per hour.
“The system will most likely shift to the southwest during today before taking on a more southerly track on Thursday and is expected to remain offshore of the southern Queensland coast,” the warning says.
Gale force winds are expected out to sea causing large swells on the coast on Wednesday and Thursday.
“This will combine with high tides to cause hazardous conditions within the warning area.”
The warning says dangerous surf conditions and beach erosion are expected along the east coast of Fraser Island and the Sunshine Coast, and extending southwards to the Gold Coast from Wednesday afternoon.
Surf Life Saving Australia has recommended people stay out of the water and away from surf-exposed areas.
For emergency assistance contact the SES on 132 500.