Cyclone intensifies off Aust coast

PERTH - A tropical cyclone off the northern tip of Western Australia may become severe as it nears the coast, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) says.

Tropical Cyclone Magda has developed off the northwest Kimberley coast, between Kuri Bay and Cockatoo Island, and is moving south-southeast at 9km/h towards the coast.

The BoM warns it is expected to intensify during Thursday.

"Gales with gusts to 100km/h may develop in coastal areas between Kalumburu and Cockatoo Island during Thursday evening or early Friday morning as Magda approaches," it said in a statement.

"There is a significant risk that by Friday afternoon or evening Magda will have intensified into a severe tropical cyclone and be located close to the Kimberley coast."

There are currently no community alerts but the BoM has warned residents in the Kimberley between Wyndham and Beagle Bay to be on high alert.

- AAP