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 12:07 PM ACST on Saturday 21 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 4
RIVER LEVEL RISES AND AREAS OF FLOODING ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE FLOOD WATCH AREA FROM SATURDAY 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
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 intense rainfall is current for parts of the central and southeast 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 Sunday 22 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 Barkly and parts of Simpson and Tanami districts.

Issued at 10:06 am Saturday, 21 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is situated near the Simpson, Barkly and Queensland border region and is expected to move slowly southward and strengthen during the weekend. Rich tropical moisture is feeding into the system, which will bring a broad chance of heavy to locally intense rainfall, especially on its northern and eastern sides. The chance of locally intense rainfall is greatest during the overnight hours.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Barkly, Simpson and Tanami
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Barkly, Simpson and Tanami districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 55 and 90 mm are likely, with localised falls to 140 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are likely, with localised falls to 200 mm possible.
DAMAGING WINDS with gusts of about 90 km/h are possible near showers and thunderstorms.
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 and Ali Curung.

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 Saturday.
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 Barkly and parts of Simpson and Tanami districts.

Issued at 10:06 am Saturday, 21 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is situated near the Simpson, Barkly and Queensland border region and is expected to move slowly southward and strengthen during the weekend. Rich tropical moisture is feeding into the system, which will bring a broad chance of heavy to locally intense rainfall, especially on its northern and eastern sides. The chance of locally intense rainfall is greatest during the overnight hours.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Barkly, Simpson and Tanami
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Barkly, Simpson and Tanami districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 55 and 90 mm are likely, with localised falls to 140 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are likely, with localised falls to 200 mm possible.
DAMAGING WINDS with gusts of about 90 km/h are possible near showers and thunderstorms.
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 and Ali Curung.

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 Saturday.
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.