A severe storm is predicted to bring damaging winds and hail to inland south-east Queensland on Friday afternoon.

The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe thunderstorm warning on Friday after storms were detected on the weather radar near Marburg, Lowood and Hatton Vale at 5pm.

The storms are forecast to affect Boonah, the area south of Esk and the D'Aguilar Ranges by 5.35pm and Esk, the area between Boonah and Beaudesert and Somerset Dam by 6.05 pm.

Parts of Ipswich, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Brisbane City and Moreton Bay council areas could be affected as the storms track northward.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services advised people should move their car under cover or away from trees, secure loose outdoor items and seek shelter.

Meanwhile, tropical cyclone Trevor intensified to a category three cyclone and is predicted to batter the Gulf of Carpentaria and surrounding lands over the weekend.

The cyclone has sustained winds near the centre of 130 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 185 kilometres per hour.