Tropical Cyclone Narelle Warning Issued for Nhulunbuy to Port McArthur

Alert Details

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a major Tropical Cyclone Warning for Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U). As of 4:31 am ACST on Saturday, March 21, 2026, Narelle is a Category 2 cyclone moving westwards through the Gulf of Carpentaria. It is forecast to strengthen into a severe tropical cyclone before making landfall.

Affected Areas

• Warning Zone: Nhulunbuy to Port McArthur, including Borroloola, Numbulwar, Alyangula, and Gapuwiyak.
• Watch Zone: Extending west to include Ramingining, Bulman, and Ngukurr.
• Additional Regions: The alert covers areas including Groote Eylandt, Katherine, North East Island, Douglas River, Pine Creek, Wadeye, and the Carpentaria, Arnhem, and Daly regions.

What You Should Do

Residents in the Warning Zone should prepare for gale-force winds expected within 24 hours. Those in the Watch Zone should monitor conditions for gales expected within 24 to 48 hours. Communities between Birany Birany and Numbulwar, including Groote Eylandt, must prepare for very destructive winds. Land-based communities should follow local emergency instructions, while mariners are advised to refer to coastal waters and high seas warnings.

Expected Conditions

• Current Intensity: Category 2 with sustained winds near the centre of 110 km/h and gusts to 155 km/h.
• Peak Hazards: Very destructive wind gusts up to 195 km/h are forecast for coastal areas between Birany Birany and Numbulwar. Destructive wind gusts to 160 km/h may extend from Nhulunbuy to Nathan River.
• Movement: The system is currently moving west at 20 kilometres per hour.

Timeline

• Saturday Afternoon: Destructive wind gusts expected to develop.
• Saturday Evening: Very destructive winds forecast to develop as the cyclone approaches the coast.
• Landfall: Forecast to cross the eastern Top End coast overnight Saturday or early Sunday morning, most likely between Birany Birany and Numbulwar.
• Sunday and Monday: Narelle is expected to weaken as it moves inland across the Top End.