Tropical Cyclone Narelle hit the Northern Territory in Australia on Saturday.  At 11:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located at latitude 13.2°S and longitude 136.2°E which put the center about 40 miles (65 km) northwest of Alyangula, Australia.  Narelle was moving toward the west at 12 m.p.h. (19 km/h).  The maximum sustained wind speed was 90 m.p.h. (145 km/h) and there were wind gusts to 115 m.p.h. (185 km/h).  The minimum surface pressure was 973 mb.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Warning that is in effect for the portion of the coast from Milingimbi to Nathan River.  The Warning includes Nhulunbuy.

A Watch is in effect for the portion of the coast from the Mouth of the King George River to the border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensified before it made landfall in the Northern Territory.  A small circular eye was present at the center of Narelle’s circulation at the time of landfall.   The eye was surrounded by a ring of thunderstorms and the strongest winds were occurring in that ring of storms.  Bands of showers and thunderstorms were revolving around the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The size of the circulation around Tropical Cyclone Narelle increased a little when Narelle intensified.  Winds to hurricane/typhoon force extended out 45 miles (75 km) from the center of Narelle’s circulation.  Winds to tropical storm force extended out 115 miles (185 km) from the center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

The Hurricane Intensity Index (HII) for Tropical Cyclone Narelle was 13.9.  The Hurricane Size Index (HSI) was 15.5 and the Hurricane Wind Intensity Size Index (HWISI) was 29.4.  Tropical Cyclone Narelle was similar in intensity to Hurricane Beryl when Beryl hit Texas in 2024.  Narelle was bigger than Beryl was.

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 during the next 24 hours.  On its anticipated track, Tropical Cyclone Narelle will move across the Northern Territory.  The center of Narelle will pass south of Katherine in 12 hours.  The center of Tropical Cyclone Narelle will be south of Darwin in 24 hours.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will weaken steadily as it moves across the Northern Territory.

Tropical Cyclone Narelle will continue to bring strong winds and heavy rain to the Northern Territory.  Heavy rain is likely to cause flash floods in some locations.

Flood Watches are in effect for the Top End of Australia.