A tropical low near WA has a high chance of developing into a cyclone that could cross the Pilbara coastline over the weekend, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

The weather system is expected to reach cyclone strength tomorrow morning while remaining offshore as it moves past Port Hedland and Karatha. 

The most recent track map suggests it could reach category 2 intensity before making landfall between Onslow and Exmouth on Sunday evening.

Destructive wind gusts up to 140km/h are possible for areas around Karatha, Dampier and Wickham from tomorrow afternoon if the centre approaches land. 

“Widespread moderate to locally heavy rainfall, which may lead to flash flooding, is possible from later tonight, with this risk persisting through the weekend for the Pilbara coast,” the bureau said today.

Australia’s first tropical cyclone this season was Cylone Fina, which caused damage in Darwin and surrounding areas in November. Ex-Cyclone Koji last month brought heavy rain to northern Queensland.

The Australian Reinsurance Pool Corporation has so far declared events for cyclones Fina, Grant, Hayley, Jenna, Koji and Luana.

On average, there are 10 tropical cyclones in the Australian region each season, with three to four making landfall, based on all seasons since 1980-81.