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Tropical Cyclone Fina forms north of Darwin, landfall possible this weekend

An early-season tropical cyclone has formed to the north of Darwin and is gaining strength, with landfall as a category two system possible on Friday or Saturday.

A tropical low that had been steadily intensifying over the Timor Sea on Tuesday reached tropical cyclone strength early on Wednesday morning, becoming Tropical Cyclone Fina.

At 3:30am ACST on Wednesday, Fina was located 315 kilometres north northeast of Darwin and travelling towards the east northeast at 9 km/h.

Image: Enhanced infrared satellite images showing Tropical Cyclone Fina forming to the north of Darwin on Wednesday morning. Source: Weatherzone.

Tropical Cyclone Fina is a small system, which has helped it gain strength rapidly. Its small size also means that gale force winds only extend about 50 to 60 nautical miles from its core. Small tropical cyclones are able to fluctuate in strength more rapidly than larger systems, which means they can strengthen or weaken fairly quickly.

Tropical Cyclone Fina is expected to move towards the east northeast on Wednesday and intensify to a category two tropical cyclone by Wednesday night. It should then turn towards the southwest on Thursday and approach the NT’s northern coastline on Friday. At this stage, Fina could impact the Top End coast and Tiwi Islands on Friday into the weekend.

The current forecast track suggests that Fina could pass close to Darwin on the weekend, possibly as a category two tropical cyclone.

Image: Extended track map for Tropical Cyclone Fina, valid at 4:11am ACST on Wednesday, November 19. Source: Weatherzone.

An ocean wind warning has been issued for some NT waters and tropical cyclone watches and warnings will be issued over the coming days as Fina gets closer to land.

Anyone living in the NT’s Top End should keep a close eye on the latest forecasts and warnings and follow advice from the NT Government to prepare for possible impacts from this tropical cyclone.