By Jim Andrews, Senior Meteorologist

Jan 30, 2012; 11:06 AM ET

Tropical Cyclone Iggy has thus far steered clear of land, but it still could eventually reach the western shores of Australia.

Cooler surface water observed southward along Iggy’s likely path should cause it to weaken before any landfall, AccuWeather.com meteorologists believe.

Monday morning, EST, the center of Iggy was within about 250 miles west-northwest of North West Cape, Australia, according to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC).

Highest sustained winds were 60 to 65 mph, making Iggy a rather strong tropical cyclone. Movement was towards the south-southwest at about 6 mph.

The JTWC, together with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, forecast Iggy to steer southward and southwestward well off Australia’s North West through at least early Wednesday. Along this stretch, Iggy could become a hurricane-strength cyclone.

Thereafter, a turn towards the east is forecast, with eventual landfall in western Australia late in the week. Geraldton could be directly effected as could Perth, albeit less likely so.

Forecast tools available to meteorologists at AccuWeather.com also show a track, first to the south, then to the east leading to a late-week landfall.