Pilbara Ports cleared as potential cyclone threatens

PILBARA Ports has sent all vessels back to sea with a tropical low forecast to become a tropical cyclone impacting the Pilbara coast.

A notice from Pilbara Ports said the ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island were being cleared.

On Friday morning Tropical Low 21U was located over waters just to the west of Broome, and will move west-southwest over the weekend, tracking roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast.

The Pilbara Ports notice said the system is already developing slightly faster than forecast. “Gales are expected over the southern quadrants from tonight and are expected to develop into a tropical cyclone Saturday morning,” the notice said.

“Pilbara Ports will have all berths cleared from the Ports of Ashburton, Cape PrestonWest, Dampier, Port Hedland and Varanus Island by 16:00 AWST on Friday 6 February 2026.

“All recreational vessel owners must safely secure their vessels for cyclonic conditions.

The Bureau of Meteorology forecast path shows the cyclone will most likely pass down the coast close to the Pilbara ports, but could also change direction.

Mariners were urged to check warnings for coastal waters and high seas.

A warning zone was issued from Pardoo Roadhouse to Whim Creek, including Port Hedland.

A watch zone was declared from Whim Creek to the Exmouth Gulf, including Karratha, Dampier and Onslow, and extending inland through the western Pilbara to include Pannawonica.

At 11am AWST the tropical low had sustained winds near the centre of 55 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour.

It was located within 30 kilometres of 18.0 degrees South, 121.7degrees East, 55 kilometres west of Broome and 415 kilometres northeast of Port Hedland.

“Over the weekend, 21U will continue to move in a general west southwest direction, remaining offshore initially but moving closer towards the Pilbara Coast,” BOM said.

“It should continue to develop and is likely to reach category 2 intensity by Saturday evening. It may turn in a more south-westerly direction on Sunday and impact the western Pilbara.

“Destructive wind gusts to 140 km/h are possible for coastal parts of the Pilbara around Karatha, Dampier and Wickham from Saturday afternoon if the centre of 21U approaches the coast.

“Destructive winds may extend further west along the coast towards Onslow and Exmouth during Sunday.

“Gales with damaging wind gusts to 120 km/h are possible for coastal parts between Pardoo and Mardie during Saturday, extending west to Onslow and Exmouth on Sunday and through inland parts of the western Pilbara including Pannawonica.

“Widespread moderate to locally heavy rainfall which may lead to flash flooding is possible from later tonight with this risk persisting through the weekend for the Pilbara coast.

“Tides between Wickham and Exmouth are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark on Saturday and Sunday and large waves may produce flooding of low-lying coastal areas.”