Tropical Cyclone Bianca is currently a category 3 system and is continuing to intensify as it moves parallel to the Pilbara coast.

A cyclone warning is current for coastal and island communities from Mardie to Coral Bay.

Wind gusts up to 195km/h have occurred near the centre of the the cyclone, with wind gusts on the mainland reaching up to 80km/h at Onslow this morning and 102km/h on Legendre Island.

Tropical Cyclone Biana, as of Thursday evening NZT / Google Earth

The bulk of the rain and strongest winds surround the centre of the cyclone and are thankfully staying offshore for now, but heavy rain was recorded in Karratha this morning with up to 12mm in ten minutes.

At 11:00 am WST Severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca was approximately 235 km north of Exmouth and 220 km northwest of Mardie and moving west southwest at 17 km/h.

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The cyclone is expected to stay within the category three range, which means gusts reaching a maximum of 224 km/h around the centre of the system.

Damaging winds are possible this afternoon between Mardie and Onslow, with gusts up to 120 km/h.

Heavy rain is also expected between Whim Creek and Exmouth today, but widespread flooding is not likely.

The Bureau of Meteorology will issue an update at 3:00 pm WST.

– Weatherzone