Pilbara East Coastal Waters Forecast: Wallal to Cape Preston

View the current warnings for Western Australia

Forecast updated at 7:57 am WST on Friday 6 February 2026.

Weather Situation

A tropical low is positioned over the Dampier Peninsula will move offshore during today. Over the weekend, there is a chance the tropical low may develop into a tropical cyclone as it moves southwest, most likely staying offshore parallel to the Pilbara coast during the weekend.

Tropical System Location

At 2:00 am WST a Tropical Low was located about 25 nautical miles northeast of Broome and 275 nautical miles northeast of Port Hedland. Centre located near 17.7S 122.6E. Recent movement has been towards the west at 11 knots.

Forecast for Friday until midnight

Strong Wind Warning for Friday for Pilbara Coast East

Winds
Southeast to southwesterly 10 to 15 knots tending east to southeasterly 15 to 20 knots in the morning then tending southeast to southwesterly in the evening. Winds reaching up to 30 knots offshore east of Port Hedland during the afternoon and evening.
Seas
Below 1 metre, increasing to 1.5 to 2.5 metres offshore east of Port Hedland during the morning.
Swell
Westerly below 1 metre.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers offshore east of Port Hedland, 50% chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm.

Saturday 7 February

Gale Warning for Saturday for Pilbara Coast East

Winds
Up to 45 knots possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Low.
Waves
Seas and swell exceeding 4m.
Weather
Cloudy. 90% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.

Sunday 8 February

Winds
West of Port Hedland: above 48 knots possible depending on movement and development of Tropical Low. Elsewhere northerly 20 to 30 knots decreasing to 10 to 15 knots during the evening.
Waves
West of Port Hedland: Seas and swell up to 6m. Elsewhere: Seas 1.5 to 2.5 metres. Swells West to northwesterly 1 to 1.5 metres.
Weather
Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning.

Please be awareWind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.

Nearby Coastal Waters

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The next routine forecast will be issued at 1:01 pm WST Friday.

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