Tropical cyclone likely to form north of Western Australia
A tropical cyclone is likely to form to the north of Western Australia's Kimberley district during the next 24 hours.
A tropical low over the Timor Sea is expected to become a tropical cyclone on Friday night or Saturday morning. The system will be named Wallace, becoming the eighth tropical cyclone in Australian waters so far this season.
The impending cyclone should pass to the north of the Kimberley over the weekend, moving towards the west-southwest roughly parallel to the coast.
Satellite imagey showing the tropical low over the Arafura Sea on Friday. Nine/Supplied
While the system is expected to remain at least 200km offshore during the next few days, gales may affect the Kimberley coast during the weekend.
Looking ahead, some computer models suggest the tropical cyclone could approach the Pilbara coast during the middle of next week. However, there is quite a bit of uncertainty regarding the system's movement from Monday onwards.
People living in the Kimberley and Pilbara should closely monitor the latest cyclone advisories during the next few days.
This system comes just two weeks after Severe Tropical Cyclone Veronica brought close to half a metre of rain to the Pilbara coast in just three days.
Impressively, large algal blooms formed off the Pilbara coast during the days following Cyclone Veronica's arrival. These blooms were so big they could be seen from space.
Most states will continue to enjoy summer weather heading into the weekend, with above average temperatures and sunny conditions.
Despite a morning drenching in Sydney today, the city enjoy mostly sunny conditions from tomorrow, reaching a maximum of 28 degrees on Sunday.
In Melbourne today, the mercury will reach 27 degrees – six degrees above the monthly average - before a cold front moves in. It will bring early showers tomorrow and cooler temperatures before they rise to a maximum of 24 degrees on Sunday.
There’ll be a wet start to tomorrow in Hobart before showers ease. Conditions will become a little drier and warmer on Sunday with a maximum of 21 degrees.
Adelaide can expect a maximum 34 degrees today – nine degrees above the monthly average - and strong winds before cooler conditions tomorrow. Temperatures will then fall back to a maximum 22 degrees.
A hazy sky captured from Hillbank in Adelaide. Jace Koesling
Perth is forecast for a warm and sunny weekend, reaching a maximum of 28 degrees on Sunday.
Darwin residents are being warned to expect stormy weather as the chance of a cyclone developing increases through the weekend.
The Northern Territory capital can expect heavy showers and high, possibly damaging winds and a maximum temperature of 32 degrees.
If the system does develop into a cyclone, it will be called Wallace.
Brisbane can expect a wet start to the weekend before sunnier weather and a maximum of 30 degrees on Sunday.
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