Tropical cyclone will hit parts of West Australian coastline ‘earlier than expected’

Western Australian residents have been warned a cyclone is expected to hit as the country’s torrent of wild weather shows no sign of slowing down.

Western Australia is bracing for a large tropical cyclone that is set to form “earlier than expected” and smash part of the coastline by early Wednesday morning.

The tropical low was located about 315km to the northwest of Broome as of Tuesday night.

The Bureau of Meteorology said it was is expected to intensify over the next two days while potentially crossing the east Pilbara or west Kimberly coast as a severe tropical cyclone, expected to be name Zelia.

“The event is due to become a category one cyclone by 2am AWST tonight and will keep moving southward,” meteorologist Matthew Boterhoven told NewsWire.

“The cyclone is then expected to turn into a category two on Thursday, before reaching category three on Friday.”

The wild weather event is set to form a cyclone by early Wednesday morning. Picture: BOM

The BOM warned “gales with damaging wind gusts” of up to 120km/h may develop along the coast from Broome (not including Broome) and Port Hedland on Wednesday.

These damaging winds may extend west to Dampier on Thursday, depending on the direction of the system.

Flash flooding is likely to occur along coastal parts between Port Hedland and Bidyadanga, just south of Broome, as a result of heavy rainfall, with the risk possibly extending to adjacent inland areas.

Once the system forms a category three cyclone on Friday, it could hit wind speeds of up to 200km/h.

Port Hedland (pictured) and Bidyadanga are expected to bear the brunt of the wild weather. Picture: istock

“It’s uncertain at the moment, but the system’s centre will most likely be between Port Headland and Bidyadanga on Friday,” Mr Boterhoven said.

“We expect to see 200-300mm of rain at the system’s centre, depending on how fast it is moving.”

Residents between De Grey and Bidyadanga have been specifically warned of the dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast.

The BOM has advised residents in these areas should prepare to follow instructions for evacuation if advised by authorities.

A flood watch notice has also been issued for catchments in the Pilbara and western Kimberley.

It follows weeks of wild weather events on Australia’s east coast which saw severe thunderstorms lash NSW and flooding in Queensland.

Originally published as Tropical cyclone will hit parts of West Australian coastline ‘earlier than expected’