The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) of Australia has reported that Tropical Cyclone Hayley (08U) continues to strengthen and is forecast to maintain tropical cyclone intensity during Monday (29 December) and Tuesday (30 December).

The details are as follows:

• As of 0200 hours (local time) on Monday (29 December), the system was classified as a Category 1 tropical cyclone, with sustained winds near the centre of 85 kilometres per hour and wind gusts up to 120 kilometres per hour.
• The cyclone was located within 45 kilometres of 14.0 degrees South and 119.4 degrees East, approximately 535 kilometres northwest of Broome and 590 kilometres northwest of Derby, and was moving south at eight kilometres per hour.
• Hayley has developed well northwest of the Kimberley coast and is forecast to move south before turning onto a southeast track from late Monday (29 December) towards the western Kimberley coast.
• From Tuesday (30 December), the system is expected to turn more easterly and continue moving inland during Tuesday night or Wednesday (31 December).
• Environmental conditions are forecast to become less favourable from later Tuesday, and the system may begin to weaken as it approaches and crosses the coast.
• There is currently no warning zone or cancelled zone in effect. A watch zone is in place from Broome to Cockatoo Island, including Derby.
• Widespread moderate to locally heavy rainfall is possible across the watch area from Tuesday (30 December), which may lead to flash flooding. Tides along the western Kimberley coast are also expected to be higher than normal as the system approaches.