Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of The Eastern, Central And Western Inland Areas Of The Northern Territory
Issued at 12:25 PM ACST on Sunday 22 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 5
RIVER LEVEL RISES AND AREAS OF FLOODING ARE OCCURRING IN THE BARKLY AND GEORGINA RIVERS
RIVER LEVEL RISES AND AREAS OF FLOODING ARE EXPECTED TO EXTEND INTO THE OTHER CENTRAL, WESTERN AND EASTERN CATCHMENTS IN THE FLOOD WATCH AREA FROM SUNDAY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Georgina River and Eyre Creek
Finke River and Stephenson Creek
MacDonnell Ranges
Simpson Desert
Central Desert
Tanami Desert
Barkly

A Flood Watch is current in South Australia for the Finke River, Stephenson Creek and Simpson Desert. A Severe Weather Warning for heavy to locally intense rainfall is current for the Simpson and parts of the Barkly and Tanami Desert in the Northern Territory.

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.securent.nt.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 01:30 PM ACST on Monday 23 February 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for Simpson and parts of Barkly and Tanami districts.

Issued at 10:56 am Sunday, 22 February 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND POSSIBLE DAMAGING WINDS OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is situated between Tennant Creek and Jervois. It is expected to move slowly southward and strengthen during today. Rich tropical moisture feeding into this system is bringing a broad risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall, as well as isolated damaging winds.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Barkly, Simpson and Tanami
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely for parts of the Barkly, Simpson and Tanami districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 90 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 140 mm are likely.
LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible, more likely overnight in the southeastern Barkly and eastern Simpson districts. Isolated six-hourly totals to 120 mm are possible. Isolated 24-hourly totals to 200 mm are possible.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of about 90 km/h are possible near showers and thunderstorms.
There remains some uncertainty over the position and strength of the low, but severe weather is likely to contract to just affect the Simpson district by Monday evening.
These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek, Yuendumu, Ali Curung, Ti Tree and Jervois.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Lasseter district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Lasseter

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:
* secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when conditions deteriorate
* pull over if it is raining heavily and you cannot see, park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
* avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current
* create your own sandbags if there is flooding, by using pillow cases or shopping bags filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
* stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
* ensure pets and animals are safe
* be prepared in case of power outages, have an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
* for emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.securent.nt.gov.au

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm ACST Sunday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Northern Territory Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall And Damaging Winds

for Simpson and parts of Barkly and Tanami districts.

Issued at 10:56 am Sunday, 22 February 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND POSSIBLE DAMAGING WINDS OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is situated between Tennant Creek and Jervois. It is expected to move slowly southward and strengthen during today. Rich tropical moisture feeding into this system is bringing a broad risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall, as well as isolated damaging winds.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Barkly, Simpson and Tanami
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely for parts of the Barkly, Simpson and Tanami districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 60 and 90 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 140 mm are likely.
LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible, more likely overnight in the southeastern Barkly and eastern Simpson districts. Isolated six-hourly totals to 120 mm are possible. Isolated 24-hourly totals to 200 mm are possible.
DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of about 90 km/h are possible near showers and thunderstorms.
There remains some uncertainty over the position and strength of the low, but severe weather is likely to contract to just affect the Simpson district by Monday evening.
These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek, Yuendumu, Ali Curung, Ti Tree and Jervois.
Severe weather is no longer occurring in the Lasseter district and the warning for this district is CANCELLED.
Cancellation for the following areas:
Lasseter

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:
* secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when conditions deteriorate
* pull over if it is raining heavily and you cannot see, park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
* avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current
* create your own sandbags if there is flooding, by using pillow cases or shopping bags filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
* stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
* ensure pets and animals are safe
* be prepared in case of power outages, have an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
* for emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.securent.nt.gov.au

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 5:00 pm ACST Sunday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Northern Territory Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.