Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

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

for Daly and parts of Arnhem, Carpentaria and Gregory districts.

Issued at 4:27 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.

LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS DEVELOPING OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TOP END FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Weather Situation
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is located over the western Gulf of Carpentaria and is expected to continue moving steadily west-southwestwards over the next few days. The system is expected to make landfall over the eastern Top End coast overnight tonight into early Sunday morning before continuing over land across the central Top End while transitioning to a deep tropical low.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Daly, Arnhem, Carpentaria and Gregory
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the central Top End, including Katherine, from early Sunday afternoon, before shifting more into the Daly district from late Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 180 to 230 mm are likely.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible north of Katherine from Sunday afternoon with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 180 mm. 24-hourly rainfall totals of around 350 mm are possible.
Localised DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible in the warning area during Sunday afternoon and evening, particularly in the Carpentaria and Arnhem districts.
A Tropical Cyclone Advice is also current for this system. Flood Watches and Warnings are also current for the area. A separate warning for ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES is current for parts of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Katherine, Jabiru, Maningrida, Wadeye, Nauiyu and Batchelor.

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 11:00 pm ACST Saturday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au 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 Daly and parts of Arnhem, Carpentaria and Gregory districts.

Issued at 4:27 pm Saturday, 21 March 2026.

LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS DEVELOPING OVER THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN TOP END FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Weather Situation
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is located over the western Gulf of Carpentaria and is expected to continue moving steadily west-southwestwards over the next few days. The system is expected to make landfall over the eastern Top End coast overnight tonight into early Sunday morning before continuing over land across the central Top End while transitioning to a deep tropical low.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL and DAMAGING WINDS for the following areas:
Daly, Arnhem, Carpentaria and Gregory
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the central Top End, including Katherine, from early Sunday afternoon, before shifting more into the Daly district from late Sunday. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 180 to 230 mm are likely.
Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible north of Katherine from Sunday afternoon with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 180 mm. 24-hourly rainfall totals of around 350 mm are possible.
Localised DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible in the warning area during Sunday afternoon and evening, particularly in the Carpentaria and Arnhem districts.
A Tropical Cyclone Advice is also current for this system. Flood Watches and Warnings are also current for the area. A separate warning for ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES is current for parts of the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Katherine, Jabiru, Maningrida, Wadeye, Nauiyu and Batchelor.

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 11:00 pm ACST Saturday.
Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts, the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Northern Territory Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Tropical Cyclone Forecast Track Map – Nt
Issued at 04:20 PM CST on Saturday 21 March 2026

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Tropical Cyclone Advice
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: Transmitters serving the area between Birany Birany to north of Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 30
Issued at 04:18 PM CST on Saturday 21 March 2026

Headline:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle beginning to impact the eastern Top End.

Areas Affected:
Warning zone: Nhulunbuy to Nathan River, including Numbulwar, Alyangula, and Gapuwiyak. Extending west to include Ramingining, Bulman, and Ngukurr.

Watch zone: King George River Mouth to the WA/NT Border.

Cancelled zone: Port McArthur, including Borroloola.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle 34U at 3:30 pm ACST:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 35 kilometres of 13.0 degrees South 137.8 degrees East, estimated to be 140 kilometres southeast of Nhulunbuy and 175 kilometres east northeast of Alyangula.
Movement: west at 21 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is over the warm waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Narelle is beginning to impact the eastern Top End coast.
Narelle is forecast to cross the eastern Top End coast overnight tonight or early Sunday morning, most likely between Birany Birany and Numbulwar. Narelle will then weaken as it moves inland across the Top End on Sunday and Monday.
During Monday, a weakened Narelle is expected to move over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf and gales are forecast to redevelop to the north of the centre. There is a Moderate chance that Narelle redevelops into a tropical cyclone while in the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.

Hazards:
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 185 km/h are forecast to develop in coastal areas between about Birany Birany and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt, this evening and overnight into Sunday as Narelle approaches from the east.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 160 km/h are forecast to develop between Birany Birany and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt from late afternoon, and possibly extending to be between Nhulunbuy to Nathan River overnight tonight or Sunday morning depending on the movement of Narelle.
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h developing in coastal and adjacent inland areas between Gapuwiyak and Nathan River, including Nhulunbuy, and are forecast to continue overnight into Sunday. These GALES may extend west to Ramingining, Bulman, and Ngukurr on Sunday.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is developing about coastal and adjacent inland areas over the eastern Top End between Nhulunbuy and Nathan River, and is forecast to extend further inland during Sunday. LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL leading to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is likely over the eastern Top End between Birany Birany and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt, during this afternoon and evening
Tides will be higher than normal between Nhulunbuy and Nathan River today and Sunday. LARGE WAVES may produce MINOR FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas. A potentially DANGEROUS STORM TIDE between Cape Shield and Port Roper is possible as the cyclone centre crosses the coast with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING.
Western Australia:
GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 90 km/h] are possible between King George River Mouth and the WA/NT border.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible for the north Kimberley during Monday.

Recommended Action:
NTES advises:
People between Gapuwiyak and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt and Nhulunbuy should remain inside until the cyclone has passed and listen to the next advice.
People in remaining areas between Nhulunbuy and Nathan River, including Borroloola, Numbulwar, Alyangula, and Gapuwiyak, should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property.
People further west including Ramingining, Bulman, and Ngukurr, should take precautions and listen to the next advice.
- Outside property, including boats, playground equipment, chairs and tables should be secured using available daylight hours.
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit the Secure NT website at http://www.securent.nt.gov.au
- For emergency assistance call the Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).
DFES advises:
Ensure you know what to do in a cyclone. For the latest DFES community alerts and warnings visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app.

Cyclone advices and DFES Alerts are available by dialling 13 DFES (13 3337)

A map showing the track of the cyclone is available at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia

Flood Watch For Parts Of The Top End
Issued at 11:51 AM ACST on Saturday 21 March 2026
Flood Watch Number: 3
ADDITIONAL AREAS OF MAJOR FLOODING POSSIBLE ACROSS PARTS OF THE TOP END FROM SUNDAY

Catchments likely to be affected include:
East Kimberley Rivers
Victoria River below Kalkarindji
Fitzmaurice River
Moyle River
Katherine River
Daly River above Douglas River
Lower Daly River
Finniss River
Tiwi Islands
Upper Adelaide River
Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town
Mary River
Wildman River
South Alligator River
East Alligator River
Goomadeer River
Liverpool River
Blyth River
Goyder River
Buckingham River
Koolatong River
Walker River
Waterhouse River
Roper River
Groote Eylandt

Flood warnings are current for the following catchment(s) : Katherine, Lower Daly, Upper Adelaide and Waterhouse. A Tropical Cyclone advice is current for parts of 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 01:00 PM ACST on Sunday 22 March 2026.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Major Flood Warning For The Daly River
Issued at 10:46 AM ACST on Saturday 21 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 28

PROLONGED MAJOR FLOODING EXPECTED TO CONTINUE AT DALY POLICE STATION
Significant major flooding is occurring along the Daly River at the Daly River Police Station, where river levels peaked at 16.42 m during last Sunday morning which was above the 1998 flood level (16.25 m).
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall over parts of Daly River catchment in the next few days.
The river level is expected to remain above the major flood level for the remainder of weekend and into the next week. Renewed rises are possible from Sunday with forecast rainfall.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of the Top End including the Daly River catchment. A Tropical Cyclone Advice is also current for parts of the Northern Territory.

Lower Daly River:
Prolonged major flooding is continuing along the Daly River at Daly Police Station.
The Daly River at Daly River Police Station is currently at 14.68 m and falling slowly, with major flooding.
The Daly River at Daly River Police Station is expected to remain above the major flood level (14.00 m) for the remainder of weekend and into the next week. Renewed river level rises are possible from Sunday, with forecast rainfall.

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 warning will be issued by 11:30 AM ACST on Sunday 22 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Daly River at Dorisvale Crossing,20.24,steady,8:30 am Sat 21/03/26
Douglas River at Douglas Crossing,7.16,rising,10:30 am Sat 21/03/26
Daly River at Mount Nancar,17.61,steady,9:45 am Sat 21/03/26
Daly River at Daly River Police Station,14.68,falling,9:45 am Sat 21/03/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, National Water Operations

Initial Moderate Flood Warning For The Adelaide River
Issued at 10:25 AM ACST on Saturday 21 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MODERATE FLOODING POSSIBLE AT ADELAIDE RIVER TOWN FROM EARLY MONDAY MORNING
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring widespread heavy to locally intense rainfall to parts of the Top End. Forecast rain from Sunday is likely to cause rapid river level rises across the Adelaide River catchment. River levels at Adelaide River Town may exceed the minor flood level from overnight Sunday into Monday and may exceed moderate flood level from early Monday morning.
Further rises and higher river levels are possible with forecast rainfall. The situation will be closely monitored and this warning will be updated as required.
A Flood Watch is current for parts of the Top End including the Adelaide River catchment. A tropical cyclone advice is also current for parts of NT.

Upper Adelaide River:
Moderate flooding is possible along the Adelaide River at Adelaide River Town.
The Adelaide River at Adelaide River Town is currently at 3.94 m and falling, below the minor flood level.
The Adelaide River at Adelaide River Town may exceed the minor flood level (11.50 m) overnight Sunday into Monday. The river may exceed the moderate flood level (11.90 m) early Monday morning. Further rises are possible with forecast rain.

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 warning will be issued by 12:00 PM ACST on Sunday 22 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Adelaide River East Branch at Daly Road (DS),2.39,steady,8:30 am Sat 21/03/26
Adelaider River West Branch downstream Redbank Creek,3.16,falling,9:20 am Sat 21/03/26
Adelaide River at Adelaide River Town,3.94,falling,10:10 am Sat 21/03/26

This advice is also available by dialling 1300 659 219. Warning, rainfall and river information are available at http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood.