Communities across the Northern Territory are preparing for severe weather conditions as Tropical Cyclone Fina continues to intensify, with meteorologists warning the system could reach category two strength later today.
Impending Danger for Coastal Communities
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued urgent warnings for multiple regions as the slow-moving weather system gathers strength. Peak wind gusts have already reached 100 km/h, with the cyclone positioned approximately 340 kilometres northeast of Darwin and 110 kilometres north-northeast of Minjilang on Friday morning.
Jude Scott, spokesperson for the Bureau of Meteorology, confirmed that widespread daily rainfall between 50 and 200 millimetres is forecast across affected areas. "This could be 300 millimetres of rain in the areas closest to the centre of the system," she stated during a Thursday briefing.
Warning Zones and Expected Impacts
The cyclone watch zone currently extends from Daly River Mouth to Cape Hotham, including Dundee Beach and Darwin. Specific warnings have been issued for the Tiwi Islands and from Cape Hotham to Warruwi, encompassing:
- Cobourg Peninsula
- Minjilang and Gunbalanya
- Pirlangimpi, Milikapiti and Wurrumiyanga on the Tiwi Islands
Ms Scott confirmed that Darwin faces a risk of gales developing from late Saturday morning into the afternoon. However, the precise impact on the territory's capital depends heavily on the cyclone's trajectory. "If the track hugs the Tiwi Island coast, then the impacts will be less on Darwin," she explained. "If the track moves closer to the mainland north Australian coast then Darwin is likely to see the cyclone's impacts during Saturday."
Escalating Threats and Flood Warnings
The weather bureau has warned that damaging wind gusts up to 120 km/h could develop over the Cobourg Peninsula between Cape Don and Warruwi on Friday morning. These gales are expected to extend further west to include the Tiwi Islands during late Friday, reaching Darwin by Saturday.
An initial flood watch has been issued for north-west coastal rivers as creeks and rivers are expected to rise rapidly in response to the forecast rainfall. The situation remains particularly dynamic, with Fina forecast to further intensify into a severe tropical cyclone during Sunday afternoon in the southern Timor Sea.
Concerningly, the Bureau noted there is a chance the system could reach category three intensity earlier than expected, potentially during late Friday or early Saturday as it moves into the Van Diemen Gulf. Residents in affected areas are urged to monitor official warnings closely and follow all safety advice from emergency services.
