ISSUED: Thursday 22 December 2022 at 5pm AEDT
Tropical Northern Australia has seen a significant increase in storm and rain activity with the arrival of the monsoon. A Tropical Cyclone Warning has now been issued for parts of the Northern Territory (excluding Darwin) and Western Australia.
A tropical low-pressure system over the Timor Sea, west of Darwin, intensified overnight and may develop into a tropical cyclone tonight or on Friday morning, just prior to making landfall later on Friday over the southwest Top End or northeast Kimberley coast.
The warning area extends between Dundee Beach in the Northern Territory and Kalumburu in Western Australia, with potential for gale force winds and heavy rainfall to develop in these areas from tonight.
Widespread rain and thunderstorms are also set to increase more broadly over northern Western Australia, Northern Territory and northern Queensland in coming days as the northern Australian monsoon arrives.
In Western Australia heavy rain is likely to extend southwards with the track of the tropical system. Flooding is likely to inundate some roads resulting in isolation of remote communities.
The monsoon trough currently lies just north of Darwin and is expected to move south later today and into Friday as the tropical low moves south, marking the official onset of the monsoon.
If a tropical cyclone does develop, the next name on the list is 'Ellie'.
Northern Australia outlook:
More broadly across northern Australia, rain and storms are set to increase in coming days as the monsoon trough moves south. This will bring increased cloud, rainfall and potential flooding to some areas.
Widespread rainfall totals of 50 - 200 mm have already been observed during the past week. In the past 24 hrs to 9am ACST, some of the highest falls have included:
- 157mm at Gove, NT
- 98mm at Maningrida, NT
- 96mm at Margaret Gorge, WA
- 89mm at Adelaide River East, NT
- 86mm at Minlingimbi, NT
- 66mm at Dulhunty, Qld
- 53mm at Japoonvale, Qld
A Flood Watch has been issued for a large portion of northern Australia, from the Kimberley, much of inland Northern Territory, into western and northern Queensland and northern South Australia.
While this is a remote and sparsely populated part of the country, flooded roads and dirt tracks may impact travel for local communities and holidaymakers.
Flash flooding is also a possibility with heavier, isolated thunderstorms that may wash away dirt roads and cause localised disruptions.
Maximum temperatures will remain 6 to 12C below average over northern Western Australia, much of Northern Territory, northern and western Queensland.
Seven-day rainfall totals of 50 to 100 mm are forecast across much of Northern Territory, northern Kimberley and northern Queensland this week and up to 100 to 150 mm near the coastal areas, and across the Top End. Totals in excess of 200 mm are possible within the Tropical Cyclone Warning area.
For tropical Cyclone Outlooks visit http://www.bom.gov.au/cyclone/outlooks/index.shtml
Know your weather, know your risk. Communities should stay up to date with the latest forecasts and warnings via our website and BOM Weather app and follow advice of emergency services.
