According to the latest storm information from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), at 11:30 p.m. (local time), fina was recorded to have maintained a level 3 intensity (according to the storm scale in Australia) with central winds of about 130 km/h, gusts of up to 185 km/h.
The center of the storm is located within a radius of 20 km around 12.2 degrees South latitude - 130.4 degrees East longitude, 55 km west-northwest of Darwin and 50 km south-southwest of Wurrumiyanga. The storm is moving in a West-Southwest direction at a speed of about 8 km/h.
Images from Darwin radar show fina as being northwest of the city, a small but strong storm.
The eye of the storm is forecast to have strong winds and will move across the Northwest of Darwin. After moving out of the area, fina is likely to maintain strong tropical storm intensity on November 23 and 24, as it passes south of the Timor Sea. The storm will then weaken late on November 24 and 25, as it approaches the Kimberley coast.
A danger warning is being issued with the risk of catastrophic winds of up to 185 km/h south of Melville and Bathurst islands. The storm could affect Wurrumiyanga, but the risk is expected to ease in the next few hours.
Many northern coastal areas of Darwin, such as Gunn Point, and the Cox Peninsula including Wagait Beach and Belyuen, could see very strong gusts, although the risk is lower for Darwin city.
Wind gusts of up to 155 km/h continue to appear in the south of the Tiwi archipelago, including Wurrumiyanga. Darwin and the Cox Peninsula are likely to be affected in the coming hours, even spreading to Dundee Beach overnight on November 22 if the storm turns south.
Strong winds of up to 120 km/h are being recorded in the Tiwi archipelago and the area from Darwin extending northeast to Cape Hotham and southwest to Dundee Beach.
In the morning of November 23, the affected area could extend to the mouth of the Daly River and even down to Wadeye if the storm moves south. From late on 23 November to 24 November, coastal areas north of Kimberley (Western Australia) from Kalumburu to the WA/NT border may also experience strong winds, except for Wyndham and Kununurra.
In Darwin, heavy to very heavy rains are occurring, posing a potential risk of flash floods. Heavy rain is also possible in the Tiwi Islands and along the coast from Cape Hotham to Dundee Beach on November 22.
There is a risk of heavy rain spreading to the southwest, reaching the mouth of the Daly River overnight and extending into November 23. The meteorological agency warns people to monitor additional related dangerous weather warnings.
Residents and visitors in coastal areas of the Tiwi archipelago and areas between Cape Hotham and Warruwi have been warned of higher-than-normal high tides, with large waves that could cause minor flooding in coastal low-lying areas.
Travelers need to pay attention to weather forecasts, consider adjusting their schedules and updating information from airlines and travel companies. Tuan follows local instructions and does not go out during heavy rain to ensure safety.
