Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland

Marine Wind Warning Summary for Queensland

Issued at 10:37 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:
North East Gulf of Carpentaria, Peninsula Coast and Cooktown Coast
Storm Force Wind Warning for the following areas:
South East Gulf of Carpentaria
Strong Wind Warning for the following areas:
Torres Strait and Cairns Coast

The next marine wind warning summary will be issued by 3:00 pm 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, National Water Operations

Initial Minor Flood Warning For The Daintree River And Flood Warning For The Mossman River
Issued at 10:02 AM AEST on Thursday 19 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 1

MINOR FLOODING POSSIBLE AT DAINTREE VILLAGE FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON
Moderate rainfall has been observed in the Daintree River catchment during Wednesday and into Thursday, resulting in river and creek level rises. Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to bring further heavy rainfall across the catchment from Thursday. Minor flooding may develop from Thursday afternoon with further rises possible with forecast rainfall.
The Daintree River catchment is already saturated due to recent rainfall and flooding, which means the catchment will respond very quickly to forecast rainfall.
This situation will be closely monitored, and this warning will be updated as required.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for Far North Queensland. A Flood Watch is current for parts of the Cape York Peninsula and North Tropical Coast.

Daintree River:
Minor flooding is possible along the Daintree River at Daintree Village.
The Daintree River at Daintree Village is currently at 3.45 m and rising, below the minor flood level.
The Daintree River at Daintree Village may reach around the minor flood level (4.00 m) Thursday afternoon. Further rises are possible with forecast rainfall.

Mossman River:
River level rises and flooding are possible along the Mossman River.

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 09:00 PM AEST on Thursday 19 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Daintree River at Bairds,5.56,rising,9:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Daintree River at Daintree Village,3.45,rising,9:35 am Thu 19/03/26
Mossman River at Mossman,4.50,falling,9:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Mossman Tide,2.88,rising,9:40 am Thu 19/03/26

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

Minor Flood Warning For The Suttor River
Issued at 09:13 AM AEST on Thursday 19 March 2026
Flood Warning Number: 11

MINOR FLOODING OCCURRING AT ST ANNS
Moderate rainfall during last week over parts of the Belyando and Suttor River catchments caused river level rises in the upper catchment. As flows arrive from upstream, minor flooding is occurring along the Suttor River at St Anns.

Belyando and Suttor Rivers to Burdekin Falls Dam:
Minor flooding is occurring along the Suttor River.
The Suttor River at St Anns is currently at 4.00 m and steady, with minor flooding.
The Suttor River at St Anns is likely to peak around the minor flood level (4.00 m) Thursday morning.

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 12:00 PM AEST on Friday 20 March 2026.

Latest River Heights:
Burdekin River at Mt Fullstop,3.00,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Paluma Dam,0.08,steady,8:39 am Thu 19/03/26
Star River at Laroona,1.90,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Gainsford,3.42,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Keelbottom Creek at Keelbottom,1.37,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Sellheim,2.70,steady,7:15 am Thu 19/03/26
Alpha Creek at Rivington,0.27,steady,8:53 am Thu 19/03/26
Belyando River at Albro Station,6.50,falling,11:15 am Sun 15/03/26
Belyando River at Belyando Crossing,6.09,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Suttor River at St Anns,4.00,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Cape River at Pentland,1.98,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Cape River at Taemas,1.91,steady,7:27 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin Dam,0.91,steady,9:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Bowen River at Myuna,1.44,steady,8:00 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Dalbeg,3.98,steady,6:38 am Thu 19/03/26
Bogie River at Strathbogie,1.67,steady,7:47 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Millaroo,4.45,steady,6:27 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Clare,4.10,steady,7:16 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Inkerman Bridge,3.50,steady,8:34 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Rita Island,-3.50,steady,8:32 am Thu 19/03/26
Burdekin River at Groper Creek,1.79,rising,8:51 am Thu 19/03/26

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
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 11
Issued at 07:49 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: Western Cape York Peninsula between Weipa and Kowanyama, and adjacent inland areas of the Central Peninsula.

Cancelled zone: None.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle 34U at 7:00 am AEST:
Intensity: Category 4, sustained winds near the centre of 185 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 260 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 30 kilometres of 13.4 degrees South 148.7 degrees East, estimated to be 440 kilometres east northeast of Cooktown and 600 kilometres east of Coen.
Movement: west southwest at 25 kilometres per hour.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U) is currently at category 4 intensity in the northern Coral Sea and is moving westwards towards the Queensland coast. Narelle is forecast to cross the Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Cooktown on Friday morning. A severe impact is likely.
After crossing the northeast Queensland coast, 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 250 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