Perth on alert as ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle forecast to strengthen to category three off WA coast

Perth is now on alert as a tropical system tracks towards WA’s north, with forecasters warning it will likely re-intensify into a severe cyclone later this week.

Communities across northern WA are also bracing as the remnants of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle move out of the Northern Territory and into the Kimberley, bringing heavy rain and rising rivers.

By Tuesday night, the system is forecast to intensify back into a tropical cyclone off the coast, before strengthening to at least a category three by midweek.

Bureau of Meteorology’s Jessica Lingard said where the cyclone crosses is still unknown.

“There is a potential crossing anywhere along the west coast at this stage, between Exmouth and Jurien Bay, and we’re not quite sure what intensity that system would be at as it crosses the coast,” Ms Lingard said.

“All communities across the Pilbara coast down to Exmouth, and then the west coast as far south as the metro area should be on high alert for deteriorating conditions over the coming days.

While the system is likely to remain out to sea north of the Pilbara on Wednesday, attention is turning to the system’s projected southward curve later in the week, with forecast models showing a wide range of possible outcomes.

Bureau meteorologist Jonathan How said impacts could extend well into the State’s south depending on the track.

“Later this week, the tropical cyclone is then forecast to curve back towards the Western Australian coast, and could impact places as far south as Perth as we head in towards the weekend,” Mr How said.

Up to 35mm of rain is expected for the capital city on Friday, with Saturday forecast to bring up to 45mm and another 25mm on Sunday.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology said winds near the centre of the tropical low have already reached 65km/h with gusts up to 95km/h recorded.

People in Beagle Bay to Kuri Bay, and De Grey to Bidyadanga are in the warning zones and have been told to prepare for isolated heavy rainfall which could lead to flash flooding across parts of the north and west Kimberley.

Locals in Exmouth to De Grey, including Exmouth, Onslow, Karratha and Port Hedland are in the watch zone and have been told “although there is no immediate danger you need to start preparing for dangerous weather and keep up to date”.

- With newswire