Tropical cyclone heading towards Darwin

Wind gusts up to 110km/h are expected. Photo / File

A tropical cyclone could cause flying debris in towns off the Northern Territory coast near Darwin as early as Saturday afternoon, the Bureau of Meteorology warns.

Coastal communities are being warned to expect wind gusts of up to 110km/h, with a cyclone predicted to hit between between Cape Fourcroy and Milingimbi late on Saturday or early on Christmas Day.

People on the Tiwi Islands, Cape Don and Croker Island are also expected to be affected.

Dr Richard Wardle, supervising meteorologist, said the probability rating of a cyclone was high, which meant there was a 50 to 100 per cent chance of one hitting.

"If conditions are favourable today it could develop into a cyclone as early as this afternoon," Dr Wardle told AAP on Saturday.

He said it was going to be "very windy and very wet", with some damage to houses likely.

"It's very scary for people that are involved. We would see boats dragging their moorings.

"Anything that's not tied down or that is left out in the open could become flying debris."

The bureau says a cyclone watch continues for coastal areas west to Dundee Beach, including Darwin, and east to Nhulunbuy.

Residents are being reminded to prepare their home shelters and emergency kits, as well as to clear their yards and balconies or alternatively decide which public emergency shelter to use.

Darwin residents are being advised that if they don't have accommodation constructed to the building code, they should find out which public emergency shelter to use.

-AAP