Broome on alert as cyclone is expect to form off Kimberley coast today

Hours of non-stop lightning wowed Pilbara coastal residents on Thursday night as a tropical low skirted down the Kimberley coast.

The Bureau of Meteorology said tropical low is moving across the north west Kimberley this morning and is is likely to develop into Tropical Cyclone Kelvin.

It is expected to intensify into a category two system before turning south on Saturday, making landfall possibly as a severe category 3 tropical cyclone Sunday.

A blue alert is current for people between Cape Leveque and De Grey, including Broome in the Kimberley, Pilbara.

Heavy rains and strong winds are expected to reach the east Pilbara on Saturday.

A cyclone warning is current for people between Cape Leveque to Pardoo Roadhouse, including Broome which means the cyclone is expected to affect coastal communities within 24 hours.

Gales with gusts up to 100km/h are expected along the coast during Friday afternoon and if the cyclone strengthens, destructive winds up to 165km/h are possible.

For more details on the cyclone go to the Bureau of Meteorology website.