"When there is lightning in and around the area, it poses significant risk to beach-goers, particularly people in the water," a Surf Lifesaving Queensland spokesman said.

"Stay off the beach and out of the water."

A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said the storm could be "severe" with potential for damaging winds, hail and heavy rainfall.

She said the storm was hanging around Gympie and moving south-east towards Noosa.

"I expect more storms to develop in coming hours," the spokeswoman said.

Meanwhile, dangerous surf conditions also forced the closure of Main Beach on North Stradbroke Island, where savage bushfires have been raging for a week.

Palm Cove beach near Cairns also remains closed after a swimmer was stung by a potentially deadly Irukandji jellyfish on Monday.