Source: Bureau of Meteorology

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 36
Issued at 3:10 pm WST on Sunday 8 February 2026

Headline:
Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U), category 2, impacting west Pilbara coast as it moves towards Exmouth this evening then down the west coast.

Areas Affected:
Warning Zone
Onslow to Carnarvon, including Exmouth, and extending inland through the western Pilbara and northwest Gascoyne.

Watch Zone
Wooramel Roadhouse to Overlander Roadhouse, including Denham, and extending to inland parts of the western Gascoyne, including Gascoyne Junction.

Cancelled Zone
None.

Details of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell 21U at 3:00 pm AWST:
Intensity: Category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 110 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 155 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 21.4 degrees South 114.4 degrees East, estimated to be 80 kilometres west northwest of Onslow and 70 kilometres north northeast of Exmouth.

Movement: southwest at 18 kilometres per hour.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) now at category 2 intensity is expected to maintain its strength as it continues to track towards the southwest during this afternoon and evening.

Mitchell is forecast to approach the far west Pilbara coast during the afternoon while remaining over water, with possible landfall close to Exmouth late this evening or early Monday morning.

Hazards:
DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 155 km/h are occurring over coastal areas near Onslow, and are expected to develop over North West Cape (including Exmouth) this evening. Destructive wind gusts may extend further down the coast to Coral Bay on Monday morning.

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring along coastal areas from west of Mardie to Exmouth. GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are forecast to extend further south to Coral Bay and inland parts of the western Pilbara and far northern Gascoyne later this evening or overnight. During Monday, GALES should extend further south through the western Gascoyne, possibly developing over Carnarvon, Denham and Gascoyne Junction during Monday afternoon and evening.

Widespread moderate to HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely over the west Pilbara coast, extending to the west Gascoyne region on Monday. Local areas of INTENSE rainfall leading to SEVERE FLASH FLOODING may occur around the west Pilbara coast around Onslow from later this afternoon, extending to Exmouth and Ningaloo, including the North West Cape, later this evening.

ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are expected along the west Pilbara coast, including Onslow and Exmouth. Tides are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark this afternoon and again on Monday morning's high tide, causing FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas. ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are expected along the Gascoyne coast, including Carnarvon, with Monday afternoon's high tide.

Recommended Action:
Ensure you know what to do in a cyclone. For the latest DFES community alerts and warnings visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app.

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