WA cyclone warning called off

Fears of a cyclone hitting northern Western Australia have been allayed with a tropical low moving away from the mainland.

Strong winds and heavy rain have eased along the Pilbara coast, with gales no longer expected.

The Bureau of Meteorology has advised that while the low may reach tropical cyclone intensity during the course of Saturday night, it should not hit the mainland.

Earlier, the bureau had issued a blue alert from Roebourne to Ningaloo, including the towns of Karratha and Exmouth, as wind gusts of 120km/h developed near the low's centre.

While the wind danger has passed, the communities along the state's northern coast have been advised to take care to avoid dangers caused by possible damage.

Squally thunderstorms across the Pilbara and tides higher than expected will still hit the the coast overnight, and flood warnings remain current for parts of the Kimberley and Pilbara.