Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 12:42 pm ACST [11:12 am AWST] on Friday 24 December 2021

Headline:
Tropical low strengthening as it moves south and may reach tropical cyclone intensity west of Darwin on Boxing Day.

Areas Affected:
Warning zone: None.

Watch zone: Point Stuart in NT to NT/WA Border to Kalumburu in WA, including Tiwi Islands and Darwin.

Cancelled zone: None.

Details of Tropical Low at 9:30 am ACST [8:00 am AWST]:
Intensity: Tropical Low, sustained winds near the centre of 35 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 55 kilometres of 9.8 degrees South 129.6 degrees East, estimated to be 325 kilometres north northwest of Darwin and 215 kilometres north northwest of Milikapiti.
Movement: south southwest at 11 kilometres per hour.

A tropical low is developing to the north northwest of Darwin. It is expected to strengthen as It moves south and is expected to be close to the Tiwi Islands and west coast of the Top End during Christmas and Boxing Day (Saturday and Sunday).

The system may cross the west coast of the Top End later on Boxing Day, then track east southeast across the Top End.

Hazards:
HEAVY RAIN is likely to develop across the Tiwi Islands and Cobourg Peninsula tonight, and extend to the northern Daly District and northwest Arnhem District during Christmas Day.

Damaging winds with gusts to 100 km/hr may develop about the Tiwi Islands during Christmas Day, extending down the west coast of the Top End, including Darwin, during Boxing Day. If the system moves further southwest than forecast, damaging winds may develop on the WA coast east of Kalumburu during Boxing Day.

Recommended Action:
NTES advises:
- Communities under Watch in the NT, including Darwin and the Tiwi Islands, should consider what action they will take should the cyclone threat increase.
- Check your household plan.
- Listen for the next advice.

DFES-State Emergency Service advises that there are no community alerts for WA at present.
People between Kalumburu and the WA/NT Border should listen for the next advice.


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