Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in Daly and parts of Arnhem, Carpentaria and Gregory districts.

Issued at 5:01 pm Sunday, 22 March 2026.

LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL AND DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OVER THE CENTRAL AND WESTERN TOP END CONTINUING TONIGHT AND INTO MONDAY.

Weather Situation: Ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently located over the western Arnhem district after crossing the eastern Top End coast earlier this morning. The system is expected to continue moving steadily west-southwestwards tonight and Monday, while remaining as a deep tropical low.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for the central Top End, including Katherine, this afternoon, before shifting more into the Daly district this evening. These conditions may also develop about the DARWIN area from late this evening into Monday morning. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 180 to 230 mm are likely.

Locally INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is also possible north of Katherine this afternoon with six-hourly rainfall totals up to 180 mm. Isolated 24-hourly rainfall totals of 250 to 300 mm are possible.

Localised DAMAGING WIND GUSTS with peak gusts of around 100 km/h are possible in the warning area, more likely this afternoon and evening to the south of the system, and may develop through the DARWIN area from late this evening into Monday morning.

Further showers and thunderstorms are possible over the remainder of the Top End as the system contracts west.

Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Darwin, Katherine, Palmerston, Jabiru, Wadeye and Nauiyu.

121 mm was recorded at Central Arnhem Plateau in the 6 hours to 3:30 pm.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:
* secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when conditions deteriorate
* pull over if it is raining heavily and you cannot see, park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
* avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current
* create your own sandbags if there is flooding, by using pillow cases or shopping bags filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
* stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
* ensure pets and animals are safe
* be prepared in case of power outages, have an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
* for emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.securent.nt.gov.au