Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle to Strike Far North Queensland and Northern Territory

Alert Details

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning for Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U). The system has intensified to Category 5 status as of Thursday morning, March 19, 2026. A severe impact is considered very likely as the storm moves towards the Queensland coast.

Affected Areas

• Warning Zone: Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation, including Coen and Cooktown.
• Watch Zone: Western Cape York Peninsula between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw, including Weipa and Aurukun.
• Other Regions Identified: Birany Birany, Numbulwar, Groote Eylandt NTC AWS, Alyangula, North East Island, Bulman, Angurugu, Arnhem, and Kowanyama (where zones were previously cancelled).

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning and watch zones should monitor the Bureau’s best estimate of the cyclone’s movement. Due to forecasting uncertainty, indicated winds may extend to regions outside the immediate forecast rings. This product is designed for land-based communities; mariners are advised to consult specific coastal waters and high seas warnings.

Expected Conditions

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently producing sustained winds near the centre of 205 kilometres per hour, with wind gusts reaching 285 kilometres per hour.

• Wind Hazards: Very destructive wind gusts in excess of 250 km/h are possible near the centre during landfall and will persist for some distance inland.
• Destructive Winds: Gusts up to 160 km/h are likely from Lockhart River to Cape Flattery starting Thursday night.

Timeline

The system is currently moving west-southwest at 26 kilometres per hour. It is forecast to cross the Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Cape Melville on Friday morning. Narelle is expected to move across the Cape York Peninsula during Friday while weakening. The system will then continue west across the Gulf of Carpentaria and is forecast to strengthen again to a severe tropical cyclone before impacting the Northern Territory over the weekend.