Tropical Cyclone Jasper to become more severe, prompting Queensland weather warnings for 500mm rain, heavy winds

BoM expects storm to strengthen into category 2 cyclone on Tuesday before arriving near Cairns in far north Qld on Wednesday afternoon

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Residents in north Queensland have been told to prepare for up to five days without power, amid warnings that the approaching tropical cyclone Jasper could dump 500mm of rain in 24 hours.

Jasper is expected to intensify on Tuesday, ahead of making landfall north of Cairns on Wednesday afternoon.