Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle Hits Cape York Peninsula as Category 3 System

Alert Details

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued Tropical Cyclone Advice Number 20 for Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. The system is currently classified as a Category 3 cyclone after crossing the Queensland coast earlier today as a Category 4 system.

Affected Areas

Warning Zone (Queensland): Cape York Peninsula between Lockhart River and Cape Melville, and between Mapoon and Pormpuraaw. This includes the communities of Coen, Weipa, and Aurukun.

Watch Zone (Northern Territory): Nhulunbuy to Port McArthur, including Borroloola, Numbulwar, Alyangula, Ngukurr, and Bulman.

What You Should Do

Transmitters in the affected area between Lockhart River and Cape Melville, extending inland to Weipa and Pormpuraaw, are requested to use the Standard Emergency Warning Signal (SEWS). Residents in the warning zones should take immediate precautions against destructive winds and potential flooding. Monitor local emergency broadcasts and follow instructions from local authorities.

Expected Conditions

• Wind Speeds: Sustained winds near the center are 155 km/h with gusts reaching up to 220 km/h. Destructive gusts of 160 km/h are likely south of Lockhart River to north of Cape Melville.
• Rainfall: Heavy rainfall is expected across the Cape York Peninsula, which may lead to flash flooding. Locally intense rainfall is likely in the area bounded by Lockhart River, Cape Flattery, Pormpuraaw, and Mapoon.
• Coastal Hazards: Tides are expected to be higher than normal between Coen and Cape Melville. Large waves may produce minor flooding in low-lying coastal areas, with a risk of tides approaching the highest level of the year.

Timeline

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle crossed the Queensland coast around 7:00 am AEST on Friday, March 20, 2026. As of 10:00 am AEST, the center was located approximately 45 kilometers north of Coen, moving west at 21 km/h. The system is forecast to move across the Gulf of Carpentaria and is expected to strengthen again before impacting the eastern Northern Territory starting late Saturday.