A cyclone watch has been issued for Christmas Island as a tropical low heads towards the Indian Ocean outcrop.
At 5.45am today the Bureau of Meteorology said a developing tropical low was 160km north west of Christmas Island and 850km east of Cocos Islands, moving east southeast at 25kmh.
The tropical low may develop into a tropical cyclone during the day with periods of heavy rain possible.
Gales with gusts to 100kmh may develop at Christmas Island during the day, the Bureau said.
Tides will be higher than expected with large swell likely to develop later today or tomorrow.
The Christmas Island Emergency Management Committee advises that Christmas Island is on Blue Alert and residents should be taking precautions.
PERTH AGENCIES
