UPDATE: Tropical Cyclone Fina

Published on Thursday, 20 November 2025 at 10:38:18 AM

Tropical Cyclone Fina is slowly moving south towards the northern Top End coast.

Area affected

Warning zone

Cape Don to Maningrida, including Cobourg Peninsula, Minjilang and Warruwi.

Watch zone

The Tiwi Islands, and Darwin east to Gunbalanya.

Cancelled zone

None.

Intensity

category 2, sustained winds near the centre of 95 kilometres per hour with wind gusts to 130 kilometres per hour

Location

within 35 kilometres of 9.6 degrees South, 133.2 degrees East, 405 kilometres northeast of Darwin and 185 kilometres north northeast of Minjilang

Movement

slow moving

Tropical Cyclone Fina, a category 2 system and is slowly moving towards the south. It is expected to continue on a southward track today, before turning southwest during Friday. Fina is expected to approach the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands late on Friday, and continue moving southwest through the Van Dieman Gulf on Saturday. Fina is forecast to maintain category 2 intensity in the coming days, however there remains a slight possibility that it could reach category 3 intensity late on Friday or early Saturday as it moves into the Van Dieman Gulf.

Hazards

GALES with DAMAGING WIND GUSTS to 120 km/h may develop over the Cobourg Peninsula between Cape Don and Warruwi from later today or tonight, possibly extending to Maningrida on Friday morning. Gales are expected to extend further west to include the Tiwi Islands during late Friday and from Darwin east to Gunbalanya during Saturday.

DESTRUCTIVE WIND GUSTS to 155km/h may develop between Cape Don and Warruwi from Friday as the system nears the coast, extending to the Tiwi Islands early Saturday and possibly to Darwin later on Saturday.

Locally HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is possible along coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Maningrida from Friday, extending to the coast and nearby inland across the western Top End including Darwin on Saturday. A Flood Watch is current for areas across the northwest Top End.

Tides may be higher than normal about the Tiwi Islands and between Cape Hotham and Maningrida on high tides from today.

Coastal residents on the Tiwi Islands, and between Cape Hotham and Maningrida are specifically warned of a DANGEROUS STORM TIDE as the cyclone centre crosses the coast during Friday and Saturday. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with DAMAGING WAVES and DANGEROUS FLOODING.

Recommended action

NTES advises people near and between Cape Don and Maningrida should immediately commence or continue preparations, especially securing boats and property, using available daylight hours. NTES advises people on the Tiwi Islands, and Darwin east to Gunbalanya should consider what action they will need to take if the cyclone threat increases. For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit the Secure NT website (www.securent.nt.gov.au). For emergency assistance call the Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) on 132 500 (for assistance with storm damage, rising flood water, fallen trees on buildings or roof damage).

Details

	Time (Australian Central Standard Time)	Intensity category	Latitude (decimal degrees)	Longitude (decimal degrees)	Estimated position accuracy
plus 0 hours	9 am November 20	2	9.6° South	133.2° East	35 kilometres
plus 6 hours	3 pm November 20	2	9.8° South	133.3° East	60 kilometres
plus 12 hours	9 pm November 20	2	10.0° South	133.2° East	75 kilometres
plus 18 hours	3 am November 21	2	10.2° South	133.1° East	90 kilometres
plus 24 hours	9 am November 21	2	10.5° South	133.0° East	100 kilometres
plus 36 hours	9 pm November 21	2	11.2° South	132.3° East	130 kilometres
plus 48 hours	9 am November 22	2	11.7° South	131.6° East	155 kilometres
plus 60 hours	9 pm November 22	2	12.1° South	130.7° East	165 kilometres
plus 72 hours	9 am November 23	2	12.4° South	129.7° East	180 kilometres

The next Forecast Track Map will be issued by 1:30 pm Australian Central Standard Time Thursday

Back to All News