Tropical Cyclone Narelle Watch Issued for Far North Queensland and Cape York Peninsula

Alert Details

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has issued a Tropical Cyclone Warning for Tropical Cyclone Narelle (34U). The system is currently a Category 2 cyclone and is intensifying as it moves through the northern Coral Sea.

Affected Areas

A Watch Zone is currently in effect for the following regions:

• Central Peninsula and Northern Tropical Coast
• Specific locations: Port Douglas, Lockhart River, Weipa, and Coen.
• Coastal regions: Areas from south of Lockhart River to Cooktown and between Lockhart River and Port Douglas.

What You Should Do

Residents within the Watch Zone should prepare for gale-force winds expected within the next 24 to 48 hours. Land-based communities are advised to monitor the cyclone’s track closely as the grey zone of uncertainty indicates winds may extend beyond the immediate forecast rings. Mariners are urged to read specific coastal waters and high seas warnings.

Expected Conditions

As of 10:00 am AEST, Tropical Cyclone Narelle has sustained winds near the centre of 110 kilometres per hour with gusts up to 155 kilometres per hour.

Expected hazards include:

• Very Destructive Wind Gusts: Potential for gusts exceeding 250 km/h near the centre as the cyclone crosses the coast.
• Destructive Wind Gusts: Up to 155 km/h possible from south of Lockhart River to Cooktown starting Thursday night.
• Damaging Wind Gusts: Up to 120 km/h possible between Lockhart River and Port Douglas starting Thursday.

Timeline

• Current Status: Moving west at 17 kilometres per hour.
• Thursday: Damaging winds expected to begin impacting the coast.
• Late Thursday/Friday: Severe impacts likely as the system approaches the far northeast Queensland coast.
• Friday Morning: Most likely window for the cyclone to cross the coast between Lockhart River and Port Douglas.
• Post-Landfall: The system is forecast to move across the Cape York Peninsula and into the Gulf of Carpentaria, likely remaining at tropical cyclone intensity.