Source: Bureau of Meteorology

TROPICAL CYCLONE ADVICE NUMBER 29

Issued at 8:02 am WST on Sunday 8 February 2026
Headline:

Severe Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) continues to move southwest off the west Pilbara coast.
Areas Affected:
Warning Zone

Karratha to Cape Cuvier, including Karratha, Onslow, and Exmouth, and extending inland through the western Pilbara and northwest Gascoyne, including Pannawonica.
Watch Zone

Carnarvon to Denham, and extending to inland parts of the western Gascoyne, including Gascoyne Junction.
Cancelled Zone

Roebourne
Details of Severe Tropical Cyclone Mitchell 21U at 8:00 am AWST:

Intensity: Category 3, sustained winds near the centre of 120 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 165 kilometres per hour.

Location: within 30 kilometres of 20.6 degrees South 115.7 degrees East, estimated to be 135 kilometres north northeast of Onslow and 225 kilometres northeast of Exmouth.

Movement: west southwest at 11 kilometres per hour.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) is at category 3 intensity and is expected to maintain its strength as it continues to track towards the southwest during the day today.

Mitchell is forecast to move closer to Onslow during the afternoon while remaining over water, with possible landfall between Exmouth and Onslow later today or early Monday morning.
Hazards:

VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 185 km/h are possible along the coast from Cape Preston to Mardie later this morning if Mitchell takes a more southerly track. VERY DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 195 km/h may develop close to the coast near Onslow in the afternoon and extend along the coast to Exmouth as the core of Mitchell approaches in the evening.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 155 km/h are possible over coastal areas from the west of Dampier through to Mardie in the morning, extending westwards along the coast towards Onslow during the afternoon, and later extending to Exmouth in the evening. Destructive wind gusts may extend further down to coast to Coral Bay on Monday morning.

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are occurring along coastal areas between Karratha and Mardie, possibly extending inland to Pannawonica later in the morning. GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h are forecast to extend west to Onslow and Exmouth in the afternoon and evening, and then extend further south to Coral Bat and inland parts of the western Pilbara and far northern Gascoyne tonight. During Monday, GALES should extend further south through the western Gascoyne, possibly developing over Carnarvon, Denham and Gascoyne Junction during Monday afternoon and evening.

Widespread moderate to HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is likely over the west Pilbara coast, extending to the west Gascoyne region on Monday. Local areas of INTENSE rainfall leading to SEVERE FLASH FLOODING may occur around the west Pilbara coast around Onslow this afternoon and extending to Exmouth and Ningaloo, including the North West Cape, later this evening.

ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are expected along the west Pilbara coast, including Onslow and Exmouth. Tides are likely to rise above the normal high tide mark this afternoon and again on Monday morning's high tide, causing FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas. ABNORMALLY HIGH TIDES are expected along the Gascoyne coast, including Carnarvon, with Monday afternoon's high tide.
Recommended Action:

Ensure you know what to do in a cyclone. For the latest DFES community alerts and warnings visit www.emergency.wa.gov.au or download the Emergency WA app.

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