Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Simpson and Barkly districts.

Issued at 10:55 am Saturday, 28 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE FALLS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE SOUTHEAST, EASING TONIGHT.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is positioned about the southwest Simpson district, and is expected to gradually track southwards into South Australia into this evening. Rich tropical moisture on the eastern flank of this system is bringing a risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Barkly and Simpson
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the eastern Simpson and far southern Barkly districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible with slow-moving lines of thunderstorms this morning and afternoon. Six hour rainfall totals of around 110 mm are possible.
These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.
Conditions are expected to ease across the southeast Northern Territory during Saturday evening, although more isolated thunderstorm activity with locally heavy falls may persist.
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 Jervois and Simpson District east of Finke.
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 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

for parts of Simpson and Barkly districts.

Issued at 10:55 am Saturday, 28 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE FALLS POSSIBLE ABOUT THE SOUTHEAST, EASING TONIGHT.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is positioned about the southwest Simpson district, and is expected to gradually track southwards into South Australia into this evening. Rich tropical moisture on the eastern flank of this system is bringing a risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Barkly and Simpson
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the eastern Simpson and far southern Barkly districts. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are possible.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible with slow-moving lines of thunderstorms this morning and afternoon. Six hour rainfall totals of around 110 mm are possible.
These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.
Conditions are expected to ease across the southeast Northern Territory during Saturday evening, although more isolated thunderstorm activity with locally heavy falls may persist.
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 Jervois and Simpson District east of Finke.
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 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, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of The Eastern And Central Inland Areas Of The Northern Territory
Issued at 01:24 PM ACST on Friday 27 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 10
RIVER LEVEL RISES AND AREAS OF FLOODING OCCURRING ACROSS THE FLOOD WATCH AREA
FURTHER FLOODING EXPECTED OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS

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

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 Saturday 28 February 2026.