Tropical Cyclone Narelle: Severe Cyclone Threat to Australia’s Top End

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to regain strength as it crosses Australia’s Top End, prompting warnings for communities in the Northern Territory, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

The cyclone, currently a category 2 system, was moving westwards near Aurukun on the western Cape York Peninsula as of late Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology stated in its latest update. It’s expected to track quickly through the Gulf of Carpentaria overnight and throughout Saturday.

Authorities now anticipate Narelle will intensify into a severe tropical cyclone as it approaches the northeast parts of the Northern Territory. The bureau’s warning indicates the system is forecast to cross the eastern Top End coast overnight Saturday or early Sunday morning, most likely between Birany Birany and Ngukurr.

The potential for a severe tropical cyclone crossing prompted Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to describe the situation as a significant event, stating earlier this week that Narelle could be the biggest cyclone many people have seen in “living memory.” The storm had previously been upgraded to a category five system, with wind gusts reaching up to 285km/h, before weakening.

As of Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology reported sustained winds of 155km/h near the centre of the cyclone, with wind gusts to 220km/h. Residents in the cyclone warning zone, extending from Lockhart River south to Cape Tribulation, had already been taking precautions against potentially deadly weather.

The Bureau of Meteorology defines a category 2 cyclone as a system that can cause significant damage, though a severe tropical cyclone designation indicates a higher level of threat.

Premier Crisafulli is scheduled to provide an update at 3.30pm (4.30pm AEDT) on Saturday, as the cyclone is anticipated to impact the Northern Territory.