Residents in Western Australia’s Pilbara and Kimberley regions are looking anxiously out to sea as a strengthening tropical low-pressure system suggests a cyclone is coming their way.

The low is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone on Sunday afternoon as it tracks west-southwest, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The system is expected to intensify further over the next few days as it moves parallel to the Kimberley Coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology on Sunday said the weather event could reach landfall on Thursday or Friday.

High winds, heavy rain

Until then, wind gusts up to 90 kilometres per hour and heavy rainfall may develop between Cape Leveque and Kalumburu, including near Kalumburu.

Squally thunderstorms with heavy falls are also expected to develop in the far northern Kimberley on Sunday.

Abnormally high tides are likely near the Kimberley coast in the coming days.

WA’s Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) said people between Mitchell Plateau and Cape Leveque should prepare their homes and families for a possible cyclone.

“Although there is no immediate danger you need to start preparing for dangerous weather and keep up to date,” DFES warned.

-with AAP