Severe weather front threatens WA coast

Severe weather is threatening to lash Western Australia's southwest with warnings for local residents to prepare for heavy rain and damaging winds.

The Bureau of Meteorology says a low-pressure system well to the south of the state will deepen and move northwards on Thursday.

It is expected to be just south of Albany by Friday morning bringing heavy rain and wind gusts of up to 90km/h.

Emergency WA said centres that could be impacted include Albany, Mount Barker, Augusta, Bremer Bay, Denmark, Hopetoun, Pemberton, Walpole and Windy Harbour.

Conditions are expected to ease by Friday afternoon.