WATCH DECLARED!

A low (23U) in the Timor Sea may develop into a tropical cyclone and move closer to the coast over the weekend.

Areas affected:

Watch zone: Point Stuart to Kalumburu, including the Tiwi Islands, Darwin, Wadeye and Wyndham.

Details of Tropical Low at 9:30 am ACST:

Intensity: tropical low, sustained winds near the centre of 45 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 85 kilometres per hour.
Location: within 55 kilometres of 12.5 degrees South, 128.5 degrees East , 255 kilometres west of Darwin and 285 kilometres northeast of Kalumburu .
Movement: slow moving .

Tropical low 23U is currently located in the Timor Sea and may develop into a tropical cyclone during Friday or Saturday. The low is likely to be slow-moving over the next two days as it develops.

There is some uncertainty about the movement of 23U in the longer term. There remains the possibly of a track moving to the east over the Top End or a west southwest track towards Western Australia.

Hazards:

GALES with gusts to 100 kilometres per hour may develop in western parts of the Tiwi Islands overnight Friday night, possibly extending between Point Stuart and Wadeye on Saturday, or potentially west to Kalumburu if the low takes a more southerly track.

Heavy rainfall may develop over the Tiwi Islands and western parts of the Daly District during Friday and continue Saturday as the low intensifies. If 23U takes a more southwest track then heavy rainfall could develop over northern parts of the Kimberley during Saturday.

Recommended Action:

NTES advises communities under Watch:
Prepare now for a cyclone, monitor conditions and stay informed
Information on preparing for cyclones can be found at https://securent.nt.gov.au/

DFES-State Emergency Service advises that there are no community alerts at present. People in the north Kimberley are advised to stay up to date with weather forecasts and warnings.

People needing DFES assistance can call 132 500. In a life threatening situation call 000.

For more safety tips visit www.dfes.wa.gov.au