A tropical low in the eastern Indian Ocean is threatening to turn into a tropical cyclone tomorrow. If this system turns into a tropical cyclone, it will be the first of the Australian season, which has had a slower-than-normal onset due to strong El Nino conditions persisting in summer. The system will be named "Stan" if reaches cyclonic intensity, most likely on Friday morning. Currently, this system is moving towards the East Pilbara Coast, with the centre about 500 km to the north of Port Hedland. A category one tropical cyclone has a maximum average wind speed of up to 88 km/h with gusts up to 125 km/h. On Friday and into Saturday, these winds are a high risk between Karratha and Wallal, with Port Hedland potentially seeing the worst of the conditions. However, residents in the area between Mardie and Broome are currently in the watch zone for the system and should remain alert with the latest cyclone warnings issued. Even it it does remain a tropical low, it will bring significant impacts to this stretch of coastline and the adjacent interior. Also expected is a rise in tide and waves brought about by storm surge, which could see waves as high as two to four metres around Port Hedland. Rain will be widespread and plentiful - 50 to 100mm are a high risk between Mardie to Lagrange, extending as far south as Newman from today until Sunday. The system should weaken as it makes landfall, possibly sometime early in the weekend. However, the winds to the north of this particular system are the strongest. So, even if it does dissipate below a tropical cyclone status, residents from the Onslow to Wallal areas should still brace for strong, gusty winds.