Ex-Tropical Cyclone Lincoln is expected to reform overnight and reach category 2 intensity before crossing back over the WA coast on Saturday south of Exmouth, the Bureau of Meteorology says. 

Lincoln initially formed in the Gulf of Carpentaria and came ashore in the NT last Friday at category 1 strength. It then weakened to a low, travelled west across northern Australia, and has headed back out to sea. 

Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said today the system was sitting off the Kimberley coast some 300km from Broome. It will move southwest, adjacent to the WA coastline, gaining energy over the warmer waters, and will reach category 1 strength “some time overnight into tomorrow morning”.

“The tropical cyclone is likely to move southwards and continue intensifying into a category 2 system through the later part of Friday and into early Saturday,” Ms Bradbury said. 

As it nears the coast, rainfall will pick up and winds will become stronger. 

The system is expected to make landfall some time on Saturday to the south of Exmouth, a tourism centre about 1200 kilometres north of Perth. 

“That is when we will see the most intense impacts,” Ms Bradbury said. “Destructive wind gusts up to 140kmh are possible and very heavy rainfall that could lead to flash flooding.” 

The coastal crossing will be the fourth by a tropical cyclone since mid-December, including Lincoln’s initial impact last week. Jasper and Kirrily came ashore in Queensland in December and January, respectively. 

The bureau has a cyclone watch in place for Roebourne to the Minilya Roadhouse, including Karratha, Dampier, Onslow and Exmouth. 

The system is forecast to quickly drop back to a tropical low as it moves over land into Sunday.