Forecasters have been keeping a close eye on a low pressure system in the Timor Sea north of the Tiwi Islands which has been slowly intensifying and moving south towards the Territory coast.
The cyclone watch extends from point Stuart 180 kilometres east of Darwin to the community of Kalumburu near the Western Australian Border.
Darwin and the Tiwi Islands are also included in the watch
Shenagh Gamble from the Bureau of Meterology in Darwin said
“the system will bring heavy rain and possible flooding across the north west over the weekend”
The tropical low is expected to impact the Tiwi islands first with heavy rain likely to hit tonight.
Damaging winds gusts up to 100 kilometres an hour are forecast for Christmas day as the low moves close to the islands west coast, the low is then expected to move south and intensify into a category one cyclone mid morning on boxing day.
The bureau predicts the system will cross the Territory coast between Dundee Beach township and the community of Wadeye that night with heavy rain forecast for the flood prone Daly River region.
Territory authorities are urging people to prepare by cleaning up their yards and securing loose objects and make sure they have updated their cyclone kits with enough food, batteries and water to last up to 72 hours.
