Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Media: Transmitters serving the Tiwi Islands and the area near and between Cape Hotham to Point Stuart are requested to USE the Standard Emergency Warning Signal before broadcasting the following warning.

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 22
Issued at 7:29 am ACST on Saturday 22 November 2025

Headline:
Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina has intensified to Category 3 in the Van Diemen Gulf.

Areas Affected:
Warning zone: The Tiwi Islands, Daly River Mouth to Cape Don, and inland to Batchelor. This includes Darwin, Cobourg Peninsula, Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga.

Watch zone: Wadeye to south of Daly River Mouth.

Cancelled zone: Minjilang to Warruwi.

Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina 02U at 6:30 am ACST:
Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 20 kilometres of 11.7 degrees South 131.7 degrees East, estimated to be 120 kilometres northeast of Darwin and 115 kilometres east of Wurrumiyanga.
Movement: southwest at 9 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Fina is moving southwest across the Van Diemen Gulf and is expected to pass north of Darwin later today.

After passing Darwin, Fina is forecast to maintain severe tropical cyclone intensity on Sunday or early Monday as it moves through the southern Timor Sea, and then start weakening during Monday.

Hazards:
VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 185 km/h are likely along the southeastern coast of Tiwi Islands this morning, moving west during the day, with a slight chance of reaching Wurrumiyanga later today. Very destructive wind gusts are likely near Cape Hotham for a period later this morning.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 140 km/h may be occurring over southeastern parts of the Tiwi Islands this morning, extending west to southern parts of the islands, including Wurrumiyanga during the day. Destructive gusts may develop near Cape Hotham this morning, and possibly extend to Darwin later on Saturday.

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring over the Cobourg Peninsula, eastern parts of Melville Island and Cape Hotham to Point Stuart.
Gales are expected to extend further west to include Darwin during Saturday morning and across the remainder of the Tiwi Islands during Saturday. Gales may extend southwest to Daly River Mouth and Wadeye later on Saturday or overnight into Sunday morning if Fina takes a more southerly track.

HEAVY to LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible along coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and the Cobourg Peninsula, extending to coastal and adjacent inland areas across the western Top End including Darwin later today and on Sunday.

Coastal residents on the Tiwi Islands, and between Cape Hotham and Warruwi are specifically warned that tides are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark with LARDE WAVES and MINOR FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas.

Recommended Action:
NTES advises people in the path of the dangerous cyclone about the southern Melville Island and Cape Hotham to Point Stuart, should stay calm and remain in a secure shelter while the destructive winds continue. Do not venture outside if you find yourself in the eye of the cyclone - destructive winds from a different direction could resume at any time. Heed the advice and follow the instructions of Emergency Services personnel and local authorities.

NTES advises people on the Tiwi Islands, and elsewhere between Daly River Mouth to Cape Don, including Darwin, Batchelor and Cobourg Peninsula should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property, using available daylight hours. NTES advises people elsewhere near and between Wadeye and south of Daly River Mouth, should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit the Secure NT website (https://securent.nt.gov.au). For emergency assistance call the Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).



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