Weather News

Cyclone warning cancelled for WA

The weather bureau in Western Australia has cancelled a cyclone warning associated with Tropical Cyclone Bianca.

The rapidly weakening Bianca is expected to be below cyclone intensity when it reaches the state's south-west coast later today.

Cyclone Warning Centre spokesman Joe Courtney says communities south of Bunbury are already experiencing heavy rain.

"Bianca is still tracking towards the coast but it is weakening and expected to weaken further during the day, so we don't expect it to cross the coast as a cyclone," he said.

Forecaster Matt Boterhoven says people should expect fresh to strong winds and a possible thunderstorm.

"Along the coast today with the approach of Bianca we'll see some higher than normal tides and flooding of low-lying coastal areas may result, particularly around Geographe Bay," he said.

"Swells may lead to dangerous surf conditions and as tides rise coastal erosion is possible, so be careful near the coast today."

Meanwhile, communities in the state's Wheatbelt have started assessing the damage caused by severe thunderstorms.

The storms, which were not related to Bianca, passed through a number of towns, including York, Northam and Toodyay yesterday afternoon.

Wind gusts of more than 100 kilometres-an-hour ripped roofs from houses and downed trees and powerlines.

- ABC

© ABC 2010

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