Coastal communities in Western Australia's north are being urged to prepare for the country's first severe tropical cyclone crossing of the season, which is expected to bring torrential rain and wind gusts of up to 200 kilometres per hour.

Key points: The cyclone is set to cross the coast between Port Hedland and Onslow

The cyclone is set to cross the coast between Port Hedland and Onslow It is predicted to be the first severe tropical cyclone to make landfall this season

It is predicted to be the first severe tropical cyclone to make landfall this season Dangerous wind gusts up to 200 kilometres per hour and heavy rain are forecast

A tropical low which has dumped heavy rain over the Kimberley this week is expected to intensify into a cyclone over open waters on Thursday.

The cyclone, to be named Damien, is then forecast to track towards the Pilbara coast and strengthen into a category three system before making landfall on Saturday.

"It will start to introduce some gale-force winds to the Pilbara Coast from Friday onwards," Bureau of Meteorology spokesman Neil Bennett said.

"We're expecting it to intensify further during the course of Friday and into Saturday [before] crossing the coast along the Pilbara area anywhere from Port Hedland through to Onslow … as a severe tropical cyclone category three.

"As it makes that crossing we would expect to see winds with gusts in excess of 200 kilometres per hour and also some heavy rainfall, so as with all cyclones this is a potentially dangerous system."

Major regional centres in cyclone's sights

Mr Bennett said it was difficult to pinpoint the exact location of the crossing this far in advance, but urged residents right along the Pilbara Coast, including the major centres of Karratha and Port Hedland, to prepare for severe weather.

A blue alert for the system is currently in place for people from Port Headland to Mardie, including Whim Creek, Point Samson, Wickham, Roebourne, Karratha, Dampier and Pannawonica.

People in the alert area have been advised to prepare for cyclonic weather by organising an emergency kit including first aid supplies, a torch, portable radio, spare batteries, food and water.

Cyclone Damien is forecast to cross the coast as a category three system on Saturday. ( Supplied: Bureau of Meteorology )

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) has already deployed extra personnel to the Pilbara.

Deputy commissioner of operations Craig Waters said the region was still recovering from the effects of Cyclone Veronica in March last year.

"I think the people of the North West have proved time and time again that they are extremely resilient in relation to the effects of cyclones," he said.

"They're obviously still working through some of the issues of Cyclone Veronica, however things are back to normal and that's why we're asking for the community to make sure they're prepared.

"We're asking the community in the Pilbara area to ensure they've reviewed their cyclone plan and ensure all the loose items around their properties have been secured, that they have an evacuation and emergency kit ready, they have a portable radio, spare batteries, they refuel the car and have sufficient supplies of food and water for the family to endure approximately four days."

Cyclone Damien is predicted to be the first severe tropical cyclone of the season — which means it will reach category three intensity — to make landfall.

The first cyclone of the season, Blake, crossed the west Kimberley coast as a category one system on January 7, followed closely by Cyclone Claudia, which did intensify to category three level but remained well offshore.

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