Forecast

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Barkly and Simpson districts.

Issued at 3:21 pm Friday, 20 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL DEVELOPING WITH A TROPICAL LOW OVER SOUTHEAST NT.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is situated near the Simpson, Barkly and Queensland border region and is expected to move slowly southward and strengthens over the weekend. Rich tropical moisture is feeding into the system, which will bring a broad risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall, especially on its northern and eastern sides. The chance of locally intense rainfall is greatest during the overnight hours.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Barkly and Simpson
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Barkly and Simpson districts from late Friday evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 55 and 80 mm are likely, with localised falls to 130 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are likely, with localised falls to 220 mm possible.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek and Ali Curung.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:
* secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when conditions deteriorate
* pull over if it is raining heavily and you cannot see, park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
* avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current
* create your own sandbags if there is flooding, by using pillow cases or shopping bags filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
* stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
* ensure pets and animals are safe
* be prepared in case of power outages, have an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
* for emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.securent.nt.gov.au

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm ACST Friday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Northern Territory Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Northern Territory

TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST

Severe Weather Warning
for Heavy, Locally Intense Rainfall

for parts of Barkly and Simpson districts.

Issued at 3:21 pm Friday, 20 February 2026.

HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL DEVELOPING WITH A TROPICAL LOW OVER SOUTHEAST NT.

Weather Situation
A tropical low is situated near the Simpson, Barkly and Queensland border region and is expected to move slowly southward and strengthens over the weekend. Rich tropical moisture is feeding into the system, which will bring a broad risk of heavy to locally intense rainfall, especially on its northern and eastern sides. The chance of locally intense rainfall is greatest during the overnight hours.
HEAVY, LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL for the following areas:
Barkly and Simpson
HEAVY TO LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the Barkly and Simpson districts from late Friday evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 55 and 80 mm are likely, with localised falls to 130 mm possible. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 100 and 150 mm are likely, with localised falls to 220 mm possible.
Separate Flood Watches and/or Warnings are current at the time of issue. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.
Locations which may be affected include Tennant Creek and Ali Curung.

The Northern Territory Emergency Service advises that people should:
* secure loose outside objects and seek shelter when conditions deteriorate
* pull over if it is raining heavily and you cannot see, park with your hazard lights on until the rain clears
* avoid driving into water of unknown depth and current
* create your own sandbags if there is flooding, by using pillow cases or shopping bags filled with sand and place them around doorways to protect your home
* stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways
* ensure pets and animals are safe
* be prepared in case of power outages, have an emergency kit with a radio, torch, spare batteries and first aid kit
* for emergency help in floods, storms and cyclones, contact the NTES on 132 500. For more safety tips visit www.securent.nt.gov.au

The next Severe Weather Warning will be issued by 11:00 pm ACST Friday.
Check https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts. Warnings are also available through TV and Radio broadcasts or call 1300 659 210. The Bureau and Northern Territory Emergency Service would appreciate warnings being broadcast regularly.

Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology, Australia
reissue to correct overview text

Flood Watch For Parts Of The Eastern, Central And Western Inland Areas Of The Northern Territory
Issued at 12:40 PM ACST on Friday 20 February 2026
Flood Watch Number: 3
RIVER LEVEL RISES AND AREAS OF FLOODING ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE FLOOD WATCH AREA FROM SATURDAY INTO EARLY NEXT WEEK

Catchments likely to be affected include:
Georgina River and Eyre Creek
Finke River and Stephenson Creek
MacDonnell Ranges
Simpson Desert
Barkly

For the latest flood and weather warnings see www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts
For the latest rainfall and river level information see www.bom.gov.au/australia/flood

Flood Safety Advice:
Don't drive, walk, swim or play in floodwater because it is dangerous.
Stay away from flooded drains, rivers, streams and waterways.
Obey road closure signs. Plan ahead so you don't drive on flooded roads.
Check the ABC and local media for updates. The situation can change quickly, so stay informed.
For local emergency management warnings and advice visit www.securent.nt.gov.au.}
For emergency assistance call SES on telephone number 132 500. In life-threatening emergencies, call 000 (triple zero) immediately.

Next issue:
The next Flood Watch will be issued by 12:30 PM ACST on Saturday 21 February 2026.