WA ports reopen as cyclone threat passes

Ports have been reopened in Western Australia's north after the threat of a tropical cyclone subsided.

A low pressure system off the west Kimberley coast had shown signs of developing into a cyclone overnight, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning strong winds could hit the sparsely populated area between Wallal and Port Hedland.

But the cyclone warning was cancelled by 6pm on Monday.

Pilbara Ports Authority reopened Port Hedland port at 5am on Tuesday and Dampier port at 8am.

Port Hedland was closed for 10 hours and Dampier was closed for 17 hours.