Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of Arnhem and Carpentaria districts.

Issued at 11:00 am Friday, 15 March 2024.

Damaging winds and heavy rainfall for northeast Top End contracting to eastern coastal fringes Saturday.

Weather Situation: A tropical low, currently located near Nhulunbuy along the northeastern Top End coast, is moving towards the Gulf of Carpentaria. A vigorous monsoonal flow on the northern flank of the low will bring the risk of damaging winds to the northeast Arnhem coast, while heavy rainfall is more likely further inland on the southern and western flanks of the low.

Strong to DAMAGING west to northwesterly winds averaging 50 to 65 km/h with gusts of around 100 km/h are likely along the northeast Arnhem coast east of Milingimbi during this afternoon, contracting to eastern Arnhem coastal fringes around midnight. DAMAGING WIND GUSTS up to 110 km/h are possible over Groote Eylandt during Saturday morning.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for eastern parts of the Arnhem district during Friday, contracting to the eastern Arnhem coastal fringes from around midnight. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 100 to 150 mm are possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals up to 220 mm are possible.

A separate Tropical Cyclone Advice is current for parts of the Arnhem and Carpentaria districts and Groote Eylandt. See http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/index.shtml for more information.

A separate Severe Weather Warning for DAMAGING SURF is current for coastal areas between Cape Wessel and the Cobourg Peninsula. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

A Flood Watch is current for northern and western Top End catchments. See http://www.bom.gov.au/nt/warnings/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Nhulunbuy, Maningrida, Milingimbi, Alyangula, Gapuwiyak and Numbulwar.

Significant observations to 11:00 ACST Friday include:

103 km/h wind gust at Ngayawili Airport

135 mm in 6 hours to 08:00 ACST Friday at Milingimbi Airport.

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