Category 5 Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle to Strike Far North Queensland Friday

Alert Details

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning (IDQ20023) for Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle, which has reached Category 5 intensity. This top-priority advice was issued at 11:50 am EST on Thursday, March 19, 2026. The Bureau notes that the Standard Emergency Warning Signal should not be used with this specific warning.

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.
• Cancelled Zone: The alert for Kowanyama has been cancelled.

What You Should Do

Residents in the Warning Zone from Lockhart River to Cape Tribulation should prepare for a very likely severe impact. Those in the Watch Zone between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw should monitor conditions as the system moves across the peninsula. Residents should stay informed via official channels as the system approaches the coast.

Expected Conditions

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently a Category 5 system with sustained winds near the center of 205 km/h and wind gusts reaching 285 km/h.

• Wind Hazards: Very destructive wind gusts in excess of 250 km/h are possible near the center as it crosses the coast. Destructive gusts to 160 km/h are likely from Lockhart River to Cape Flattery starting Thursday night. Gales with damaging gusts to 120 km/h are forecast between Lockhart River and Cooktown, potentially extending to Cape Tribulation and the Western Peninsula.
• Rainfall and Flooding: Heavy rainfall likely to cause flash flooding is expected between Cape Melville and Cape Tribulation starting Thursday evening. Locally intense rainfall is forecast for the area bounded by Lockhart River, Cape Flattery, Pormpuraaw, and Weipa on Friday.
• Marine Hazards: Tides are expected to be higher than normal between Coen and Cape Tribulation. Large waves may produce minor flooding in low-lying areas.

Timeline

As of 10:00 am AEST, the system was located 355 kilometers northeast of Cooktown, moving west-southwest at 26 km/h. Narelle is forecast to cross the Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Cape Melville on Friday morning. The system will continue across the Cape York Peninsula during Friday while weakening, before moving into the Gulf of Carpentaria where it is forecast to restrengthen over the weekend.