Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 7:03 am ACST [7:33 am AEST] on Saturday 16 March 2024

Headline:
Tropical low to intensify as a tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria during today.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Alyangula (Groote Eylandt) in NT to the NT/Qld border, including Borroloola but not including Ngukurr.

Watch Zone
Alyangula (Groote Eylandt) in NT to the NT/Qld border, including Borroloola but not including Ngukurr .

Cancelled Zone
None.

Details of Tropical Low at 6:30 am ACST [7:00 am AEST]:
Intensity: Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 75 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 100 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 45 kilometres of 13.8 degrees South 137.5 degrees East, estimated to be 120 kilometres east of Alyangula and 285 kilometres north northeast of Borroloola.

Movement: slow moving.

Tropical Low 09U is currently located east northeast of Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria and is moving slowly towards the southeast.

The low is forecast to develop to a tropical cyclone during today and move slowly south towards the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast.

Tropical low 09U is likely to continue to intensify as it slowly moves south and reach category 2 strength on Sunday. While it is most likely to cross the coast on Monday it will be slow moving making both the timing of landfall and intensity at that time quite uncertain.

Once over land, it should weaken quickly as it tracks west over the Northern Territory.

Hazards:
Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 110 km/h may develop over Groote Eylandt later today.

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 100 km/h may develop between Numbulwar and the Northern Territory/Queensland border, including Borroloola, from as early as this evening, though more likely during Sunday. These gales will possibly extend inland to Robinson River on Sunday, if the system moves more quickly to the south.

Gales with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS of 100 km/h are possible from the Northern Territory/Queensland border to Mornington Island during Sunday, depending on how far to the southeast the system moves.

DESTRUCTIVE wind gusts in excess of 125 km/h are also possible for the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, near the system centre, from late Sunday.

HEAVY RAINFALL is occurring over eastern parts of the Top End and will continue over the weekend, with the heaviest falls in coastal and island locations during today before reaching further inland into the Carpentaria forecast districts on Sunday. INTENSE RAINFALL is possible, especially about coastal parts of the Carpentaria districts.

ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES could cause MINOR FLOODING along the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast this weekend. Large waves may produce minor flooding along the foreshore.

Recommended Action:
The Northern Territory Emergency Service advise:

For the communities in the area of the Cyclone Watch:

- Prepare now

- Stay informed

- Monitor conditions

For the communities in the area of the Cyclone Warning:

- Enact your household plan

- Prepare your property now

- Stay informed

- Monitor Take extra care on the roads

QFES advises:

People between the Queensland/ Northern Territory border and Mornington Island, including Mornington Island should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases.

- Information is available from your local government

- For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)

- For emergency assistance call the Queensland State Emergency Service (SES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

Current Tropical Cyclones