Tropical Cyclone Narelle moved over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf north of the border between the northern Territory and Western Australia on Sunday evening. At 11:00 p.m. EDT on Sunday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 14.7°S and longitude 128.6°E which put the center about 180 miles (290 km) southwest of Darwin, Australia. Narelle was moving toward the west-southwest at 11 m.p.h. (17 km/h). The maximum sustained wind speed was 40 m.p.h. (65 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 50 m.p.h. (80 km/h). The minimum surface pressure was 991 mb.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that is in effect for the portion of the coast from Mitchell Plateau to the border between Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Watch that was in effect for the portion of the coast from Beagle Bay to the Mitchell Plateau.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle weakened to the equivalent of a tropical storm during the 36 hours it was over the Northern Territory in Australia. The northern side of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was over the Joseph Bonapart Gulf. Thunderstorms were still occurring in bands in the northern side of Narelle’s circulation. The southern half of Narelle’s circulation was still over land. Bands in the southern side of Tropical Cyclone Narelle consisted primarily of showers and lower clouds.
The strongest winds in Tropical Cyclone Narelle were occurring in the bands of thunderstorms that were over the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 130 miles (210 km) in the northwestern quadrant of Narelle’s circulation. Winds to tropical storm force extended out 45 miles (75 km) in the northeastern quadrant of Tropical Cyclone Narelle. The winds in the southern half of Narelle’s circulation were blowing at less than tropical storm force, because that part of Narelle was still over land.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move around the northern side of a high pressure system that is over Australia. The high pressure system will steer Narelle toward the west-southwest during the next 24 hours. On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move near the northern coast of Western Australia. The center of Narelle is likely to move back over land during much of the next day or so.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle is unlikely to intensify much during the next 24 hours because the center will be overland. Narelle will move into an environment favorable for intensification in a day or so when the center moves north of the coast of Western Australia. Narelle will move over water where the Sea Surface Temperatures are near 30°C. It will move under the middle of an upper level ridge that is over northern Australia. The upper level winds are weak near the middle of the ridge and there will be little vertical wind shear. Tropical Cyclone Narelle is likely to intensify back to the equivalent of a hurricane/typhoon later this week.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle will bring gusty winds and locally heavy rain to places near the northern coast of Western Australia. Heavy rain could cause flash floods in some locations.
Flood Watches are in effect for the North Kimberley Rivers, the West Kimberley Rivers and the East Kimberley Rivers.