IDQ11291
Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Queensland
Issued at 3:00 am EST on Friday 20 March 2026
for the period until midnight EST Sunday 22 March 2026.
Please be aware
Wind and wave forecasts are averages. Wind gusts can be 40 per cent stronger than the forecast, and stronger still in squalls and thunderstorms. Maximum waves can be twice the forecast height.
A weak pressure gradient extends over the Gulf Waters. Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle [935 hPa] in the northwest Coral Sea is forecast to cross the Peninsula coast near Coen during Friday morning. Narelle is then forecast to weaken as it crosses Cape York Peninsula during the rest of Friday, enter the Gulf and begin reintensifying on Friday night, and move towards the Northern Territory on Saturday.
At 7:00 pm EST Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located about 120 nautical miles north northeast of Cooktown and 165 nautical miles east of Coen. Centre located near 13.6S 146.0E. Recent movement has been towards the west at 10 knots.
Winds: Above 48 knots possible depending on movement and development of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Waves: Seas and swell exceeding 6m. Weather: Partly cloudy. 70% chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Winds: Above 64 knots possible depending on movement and development of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Waves: Seas and swell exceeding 8m. Weather: Cloudy. 90% chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Winds: Northeasterly 20 to 30 knots decreasing to 10 to 15 knots during the afternoon. Seas: 1.5 to 2.5 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the afternoon or evening. 1st Swell: Northerly 1.5 to 2.5 metres. 2nd Swell: North to northeasterly 1 to 2 metres, decreasing below 1 metre during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.
At 7:00 pm EST Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle was located about 120 nautical miles north northeast of Cooktown and 165 nautical miles east of Coen. Centre located near 13.6S 146.0E. Recent movement has been towards the west at 10 knots.
Winds: Above 64 knots possible depending on movement and development of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Waves: Seas and swell exceeding 8m. Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Winds: Above 64 knots possible depending on movement and development of Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Waves: Seas and swell exceeding 8m. Weather: Cloudy. 95% chance of rain. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Winds: Northerly 15 to 25 knots decreasing to 10 to 15 knots during the afternoon. Seas: 1 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 metre during the afternoon or evening. Swell: Northwesterly 2 to 3 metres, decreasing to 1.5 to 2 metres during the morning. Weather: Partly cloudy. 90% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
The next routine forecast will be issued at 9:00 am EST Friday.
* Calls to 1300 numbers cost around 27.5c incl. GST, higher from mobiles or public phones. Marine forecasts are also available on VHF and HF radio. View the radio schedule on www.bom.gov.au/marine
Check the latest Coastal Waters Forecasts for information on wind, wave and weather conditions for neighbouring coastal zones.