Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland

Issued at 05:50 AM EST on Thursday 19 March 2026
for the period until midnight EST Friday 20 March 2026

Wind Warnings for Thursday 19 March
Hurricane Force Wind Warning for the following areas:
Peninsula Coast and Cooktown Coast
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Cairns Coast

Wind Warnings for Friday 20 March
Hurricane Force Wind Warning for the following areas:
Peninsula Coast and Cooktown Coast
Storm Force Wind Warning for the following areas:
South East Gulf of Carpentaria and North East Gulf of Carpentaria
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Cairns Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 9:00 am EST Thursday.
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Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecast or Local
Waters Forecast at http://www.bom.gov.au/qld/forecasts/map.shtml for information on wind,
wave and weather conditions for these coastal zones.
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Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Tropical Cyclone Advice
Tropical Cyclone Warning Centre

Media: The Standard Emergency Warning Signal should NOT be used with this warning.

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 10
Issued at 04:52 AM EST on Thursday 19 March 2026

Headline:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle expected to bring severe impacts to Far North Queensland during Friday.

Areas Affected:
Warning zone: Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation.

Watch zone: Kowanyama to Weipa.

Cancelled zone: Port Douglas.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle 34U at 4:00 am AEST:
Intensity: Category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 165 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 230 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 30 kilometres of 13.2 degrees South 149.4 degrees East, estimated to be 515 kilometres east northeast of Cooktown and 670 kilometres east of Coen.
Movement: west southwest at 22 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U) is currently at category 4 intensity in the northern Coral Sea. Narelle is moving steadily to the west and will approach the far northeast Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Cooktown. A severe impact is likely during Friday.
After crossing the northeast Queensland coast, most likely on Friday morning, Narelle is forecast to continue tracking westwards. Narelle is likely to temporarily weaken as it crosses Cape York Peninsula, however it is expected to remain a tropical cyclone. Narelle will then continue to move west across the Gulf of Carpentaria, and is forecast to intensify to a severe tropical cyclone before impacting the Northern Territory over the weekend.

Hazards:
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS in excess of 230 km/h are possible near the centre of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle as it crosses the coast.
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 160 km/hr are likely from Lockhart River to Cape Flattery from Thursday night and may extend south to Cooktown if Narelle takes a more southerly path. DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS are possible near the centre of Narelle as it moves further inland across Cape York Peninsula during Friday.
Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/hr are likely between Lockhart River and Cooktown from Thursday evening, and may extend south to Cape Tribulation if Narelle takes a more southerly path.
Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/hr will also possibly extend across Cape York Peninsula, including areas between Weipa and Kowanyama from Friday.
HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible between Cape Melville and Cape Tribulation from Thursday evening, extending northwards and to inland areas west of Coen during Friday. LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL is likely in an area of the Peninsula bounded by Lockhart River, Cape Flattery, Pormpuraaw, and Weipa during Friday.
Tides will be higher than normal between Coen and Cape Tribulation as Narelle approaches and crosses the coast. LARGE WAVES may produce MINOR FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas. There is a small risk that tides may approach the highest tide of the year during Friday.
Tides in Princess Charlotte Bay are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING. Any coastal residents in this area are specifically warned of a possible DANGEROUS STORM TIDE as the cyclone centre crosses the coast.
Once Narelle moves into the Gulf of Carpentaria, tides on the western Peninsula between Weipa and Kowanyama may be higher than normal. LARGE WAVES may produce MINOR FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas.

Recommended Action:
People between Lockhart River and Cape Tribulation should take precautions and listen to the next advice.
-IF YOUR LIFE IS IN DANGER PHONE TRIPLE ZERO (000) IMMEDIATELY.
People between Weipa and Kowanyama, and adjacent inland areas of the Central Peninsula, should stay informed and listen to the next advice.
- Stay informed by checking your local government s Disaster Dashboards for the latest updates.
- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit the Get Ready Queensland website www.getready.qld.gov.au
- For non-life threatening emergency assistance contact State Emergency Services (SES) online via the SES Assistance QLD App, Apple , Android, online www.132500.qld.gov.au, or call 132 500 from anywhere in Queensland.

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, National Water Operations
Reissue to correct the next issue time

Major Flood Warning For The Flinders River
Issued at 01:49 PM AEST on Wednesday 18 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 35

MAJOR FLOODING CONTINUING AT WALKERS BEND
Major flooding is continuing along the lower Flinders River at Walkers Bend.
No significant rainfall is forecast over the next few days.

Flinders River downstream of Richmond:
Major flooding is continuing along the Flinders River downstream of Richmond.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend peaked at 10.83 m around 10:30 pm Sunday, with major flooding. The river is currently at 9.82 m and falling, with major flooding.
The Flinders River at Walkers Bend is expected to remain above the major flood level (8.00 m) for the next few days.

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.disaster.qld.gov.au/warnings.}
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 03:00 PM AEST on Friday 20 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Flinders River at Glendower Crossing,0.82,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Porcupine Creek at Mt Emu Plains,1.72,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Flinders River at Punchbowl,4.53,falling,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Flinders River at Etta Plains,9.29,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Julia Creek,1.55,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Gilliat River at Wills Development Road,6.43,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Cloncurry River at Cloncurry,1.02,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Cloncurry River at Canobie,7.62,steady,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26
Flinders River at Walkers Bend,9.82,falling,1:00 pm Wed 18/03/26

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.