Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle Threatens Eastern Top End with Category 3 Winds

Alert Details

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning for Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U). The storm is currently classified as a Category 3 system and is situated over the warm waters of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Affected Areas

Warning Zone: Nhulunbuy to Nathan River, including Numbulwar, Alyangula, and Gapuwiyak. This extends west to include Ramingining, Bulman, and Ngukurr. Watch Zone: King George River Mouth to the WA/NT Border. Cancelled Zones: Port McArthur, including Borroloola.

What You Should Do

Residents in the warning zone should prepare for gales within 24 hours. Those in the watch zone should monitor conditions for gales expected within 24 to 48 hours. Mariners should refer to coastal waters and high seas warnings as this alert is designed for land-based communities. Residents should monitor the range of likely tracks as the cyclone’s path may vary.

Expected Conditions

Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently producing sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with gusts up to 165 kilometres per hour. As the system approaches the coast, very destructive winds with gusts reaching 185 km/h are forecast for coastal areas between Birany Birany and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt. Destructive wind gusts to 160 km/h are also expected to develop in the region.

Timeline

The alert was issued at 2:49 pm AWST on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Narelle is moving west at 21 kilometres per hour and is forecast to cross the eastern Top End coast overnight tonight or early Sunday morning, most likely between Birany Birany and Numbulwar. The system is expected to weaken as it moves inland on Sunday and Monday. There is a moderate chance the system may redevelop into a tropical cyclone on Monday as it moves over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf.