Cocos Is hit by cyclone Kate winds, rain

The Bureau of Meteorology says the Cocos Islands are being hit by heavy wind and rain as Cyclone Kate passes to their north.

Tropical Cyclone Kate to move north of the Cocos Keeling Islands during Christmas Day. (Bureau of Meteorology)

Rain and heavy winds are abating on Cocos Islands as tropical cyclone Kate passes.

The Cocos Keeling Islands had been hit with wind gusts of up to 100 kilometres an hour earlier on Thursday as Kate passed to their north.

The Bureau of Meteorology had said the winds were expected to continue into Friday before easing, though with squalls still possible, but later reported that the weather was improving.

"Weather improving on Cocos Keeling Islands as Kate moves past," the BOM said on Thursday evening.