Source: Bureau of Meteorology

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 12
Issued at 5:32 am WST on Sunday 19 January 2025

Headline:
High chance of a tropical cyclone forming off the Pilbara coast today.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Port Hedland to Ningaloo, including Karratha, Dampier, Onslow and Exmouth.

Watch Zone
None.

Cancelled Zone
None.

Details of Tropical Low 11U at 5:00 am AWST:
Intensity: Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 75 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 19.5 degrees South 116.7 degrees East, estimated to be 220 kilometres west northwest of Port Hedland and 140 kilometres north of Karratha.

Movement: west southwest at 9 kilometres per hour.

A tropical low north of the Pilbara coast is expected to develop into a tropical cyclone today. The developing low is expected to continue moving west, parallel to the Pilbara coast. From Monday onwards, the cyclone is expected to turn towards the southwest, while remaining over open waters. By this time, the cyclone is expected to begin moving away from the coast.

Hazards:
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS about the coastal and island communities between Port Hedland and Exmouth, including Karratha and Dampier, extending west of Mardie to Ningaloo later today and tonight.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS may occur over offshore island communities later today, and about the North West Cape early tomorrow, if the cyclone tracks a little further south than expected.

As the cyclone moves westwards, parallel to the north WA coast, a storm tide is expected between Port Hedland and Exmouth during the afternoon's high tide today and tomorrow. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore. People living in areas likely to be affected by this flooding should take measures to protect their property as much as possible and be prepared to help their neighbours.

Recommended Action:
Ensure you know what to do in a cyclone. For the latest DFES community alerts and warnings visit emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app.

Current Tropical Cyclones