View the current warnings for the Northern Territory
Forecast issued at 8:30 pm CST on Saturday 17 January 2026.
Weather Situation
A tropical low is forecast to develop over the Top End and deepen within a monsoon trough during the weekend. The low is expected to move towards the west and then offshore into the Timor Sea early next week. Strong winds are expected across northern and western waters over the weekend and early next week.
Forecast for Saturday until midnight
- Winds
- West to northwesterly 20 to 25 knots.
- Seas
- 1.5 to 2 metres.
- Swell
- Northwesterly 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres in the far north.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Sunday 18 January
Strong Wind Warning for Sunday for Arafura Coast
- Winds
- Northwesterly 15 to 20 knots, reaching up to 30 knots offshore west of Maningrida in the afternoon.
- Seas
- 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres offshore west of Maningrida.
- Swell
- Northwesterly 1.5 to 2 metres, decreasing to 1 to 1.5 metres during the morning, then increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres around midday.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Monday 19 January
- Winds
- Northwesterly 15 to 20 knots.
- Seas
- 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1 to 2 metres in the far north.
- Swell
- Northwesterly 1 to 1.5 metres inshore, increasing to 2 metres offshore.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Tuesday 20 January
- Winds
- West to northwesterly 15 to 20 knots.
- Seas
- 1 to 1.5 metres, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore east of Maningrida.
- Swell
- Northwesterly 1 to 1.5 metres inshore, increasing to 1.5 to 2 metres offshore.
- Weather
- Partly cloudy. 80% chance of showers. The chance of a thunderstorm.
Please be awareWind 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.
Nearby Coastal Waters
- See detailed wind and wave forecasts on MetEye
- This forecast is also available via scheduled broadcasts on marine radio.
- Latest Coastal Observations
- Tide Predictions
- Marine Knowledge Centre - explanations and definitions
The next routine forecast will be issued at 2:30 am CST Sunday.
Product IDD11035