Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued for Multiple Northern Territory Districts

Alert Details

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning for heavy, locally intense rainfall has been issued by the Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). The alert is classified as a top priority for immediate broadcast due to the potential for life-threatening conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning covers parts of the following forecast districts in the Northern Territory:

• Arnhem
• Gregory
• Barkly
• Tanami
• Daly
• Carpentaria

Specific locations that may be affected include Kalkarindji and Rabbit Flat.

What You Should Do

The Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) advises residents in the warning area to take the following precautions:

• Slow down and turn your headlights on if driving.
• Create your own sandbags using pillowcases or shopping bags filled with sand to protect doorways from flooding.
• Secure loose outside objects and ensure pets and animals are safe.
• Avoid remaining in the open when storms threaten.
• If driving in heavy rain, pull over and park with hazard lights on until conditions clear.
• Do not drive into water of unknown depth and current.
• For emergency help in floods or storms, contact the NTES on 132 500.

Expected Conditions

A very humid and unstable airmass is generating isolated severe thunderstorm complexes. These storms are likely to produce heavy to locally intense rainfall that may lead to dangerous and life-threatening flash flooding. Recent observations recorded 88.0 mm of rainfall at Central Waterhouse within a 60-minute period ending at 8:02 PM.

Timeline

The warning was issued at 9:24 pm Tuesday, 24 February 2026. The current weather situation is expected to persist over the next several hours. The next formal update from the Bureau of Meteorology is scheduled to be issued by 12:25 am Wednesday.