The weather bureau said the tropical low had sustained winds near its centre of 45km/h with wind gusts to 85km/h.

At 12.30pm Darwin time on Thursday it was about 210 kilometres west of Darwin and 225 kilometres north of Wadeye, moving south at 11km/h.

The bureau said gales with gusts to 90km/h may develop overnight between Wyndham and Dundee Beach including Wadeye, and if the system tracks further west then gales may extend to areas west of Wyndham.

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“Severe thunderstorms are also possible from this afternoon and during Friday, with heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts possible,” it said.

“Large waves may produce minor flooding in low-lying coastal areas during Friday.”

AAP

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