Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Simpson and parts of Barkly and Tanami districts.

Issued at 5:02 pm Monday, 23 February 2026.

HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL OVER CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST NORTHERN TERRITORY.

Weather Situation: A slow-moving tropical low is situated over the southeast of the NT near Jervois. Rich tropical moisture surrounding this system is bringing a broad risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Barkly, Simpson and Tanami districts. Six hour rainfall totals between 40 and 90 mm are likely. 24 hour rainfall totals between 70 and 120 mm are likely.

In Alice Springs: HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible from this evening and through the overnight period. Six hour rainfall totals between 20 and 40 mm are likely, possibly reaching 60 mm.

LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is possible, more likely overnight and early morning periods in the southern Barkly and northern Simpson districts. Isolated six hour totals to 120 mm are possible.

There remains some uncertainty over the position and strength of the low, but severe weather may contract to affect only the Simpson district by Tuesday.

These conditions also threaten cattle and other livestock.

Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Alice Springs, Ali Curung, Arltunga, Jervois, Barrow Creek and Ampilatwatja.

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