Tropical Cyclone Fina forms as the earliest named storm of the Australian cyclone season in 12 years
Tropical Cyclone Fina formed over the Timor Sea on November 19, 2025, becoming the first named storm of the 2025–26 Australian region cyclone season. This marks the earliest start of the Australian cyclone season in 12 years.
Satellite image of Tropical Cyclone Fina as of 07:00 UTC on November 19, 2025. Credit: JMA/Himawari-9, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers
Tropical Cyclone Fina formed as the first cyclone of the 2025–2026 Australian cyclone season at 04:00 ACST on November 19 (18:30 UTC on November 18).
Fina is the first named storm of the 2025–2026 Australian cyclone season, and marks the earliest start to the season in over a decade.
The last time a tropical cyclone developed this early was Cyclone Alessia, which made landfall in the Northern Territory on November 28, 2013.
As of 09:30 ACST (00:00 UTC) on November 19, the system was located about 370 km (230 miles) north-northeast of Darwin and 210 km (130 miles) north-northwest of Minjilang.
Fina is a Category 1 storm with sustained winds near the center reaching 75 km/h (47 mph), with gusts up to 161 km/h (100 mph). The system was moving northeast at 12 km/h (7 mph).
The cyclone is forecast to continue moving eastward as it intensifies into a Category 2 storm by the night of November 19. It is expected to then turn south on November 20 toward Australia’s northern coast, potentially making landfall over the Northern Territory by November 21.
Destructive wind gusts of up to 135 km/h (84 mph) could develop between Cape Don and Warruwi as early as November 20, but are more likely on November 21, according to the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Damaging wind gusts of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) could develop between Cape Don and Warruwi by November 20, extending eastward to Maningrida overnight.
Gale-force winds are expected to extend farther west to include the Tiwi Islands later on November 21. They could extend farther east to Milingimbi if the system tracks farther east.
Localized heavy rainfall could lead to flash flooding along coastal areas between the Tiwi Islands and Milingimbi by November 21. A Flood Watch is in effect for areas across the northwest Top End.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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