Radar imagery from the last 12 hours highlights a well-defined eye at the centre of the system, with curved bands of showers and thunderstorms rotating clockwise around it. Some of these showers have extended as far south as Wyndham and Kununurra. The heaviest rainfall in the 24 hours to 9 am fell over the western Top End, where several locations recorded more than 100 mm, with the highest being 143 mm at Dum-in-Mirrie. Over the past several days, nearly half a metre of rain has fallen across Middle Point, just inland from Darwin, bringing extensive wet weather to the Top End.
On the map, the system is currently a category four tropical cyclone with sustained winds near the centre of 185 km/h and gusts up to 270 km/h. It is located about 60 km northeast of Berkeley River Mouth and 160 km east of Kalumburu. Gale-force winds-gusts over 120 km/h-are already being experienced within the orange warning area. Very destructive winds are expected to intensify between King George River Mouth and Berkeley River Mouth this afternoon and evening as the cyclone approaches the coast. Other hazards include heavy to locally intense rainfall that may cause life-threatening flash flooding, as well as storm surge and large waves increasing the risk of inundation in low-lying coastal areas.
The system is expected to continue moving southwest, weakening to a category three cyclone-still severe-before crossing the coast around 8 pm this evening. Winds and rainfall will peak over exposed coastal areas around that time. After landfall, the system will quickly weaken to category two, then category one, and eventually to a low pressure system tomorrow. Gale-force winds may continue into the early hours of Tuesday, and heavy rainfall may persist through mid-Tuesday.
Rainfall is likely to spread further inland by Wednesday as moisture is drawn into the interior of Western Australia. While the strongest winds and heaviest rain will remain near the coast today, inland areas will begin to experience increased rain as the system decays.
Cyclone impacts may include large trees being brought down by destructive winds, damage to property from both wind and flooding, and transport disruptions with the closure of highways and roads. Residents of north-eastern Kimberley should stay up to date with the latest tropical cyclone track maps available through the Bureau's website, app, or social media, and follow all advice from local emergency services.
Bye for now.
Video current: 1:30 pm AWST Monday 24/11/25.
