Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Alice Springs and Simpson District

Alert Details

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for HEAVY RAINFALL. This is a top-priority alert for immediate broadcast, issued at 2:59 am Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

Affected Areas

The warning is currently in effect for parts of the Simpson district in the Northern Territory. Specific locations that may be affected include Alice Springs.

What You Should Do

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) advises residents in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Slow down and turn your headlights on if driving.
• Create your own sandbags if there is flooding by using pillowcases or shopping bags filled with sand, placing them around doorways to protect your home.
• Secure loose outside objects.
• Ensure pets and animals are safe.
• Avoid remaining in the open when storms threaten.
• If it is raining heavily and you cannot see, pull over and park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears.
• Avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current.
• For emergency help in floods, storms, and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500.

Expected Conditions

A moist airmass combined with a tropical low in the south of the state is producing severe thunderstorms. These storms are likely to produce heavy rainfall that may lead to flash flooding within the warning area over the next several hours.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 2:59 am on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. The next update from the Bureau of Meteorology is expected to be issued by 6:00 am. Residents should monitor local broadcasts and the BOM website for further updates.