A Severe Weather Warning remains in effect across a large part of Western Australia as an unusually deep low-pressure system approaches the southwest coast, bringing the threat of damaging to destructive wind gusts, severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, isolated tornadoes and very large waves through Monday.
Heavy rainfall triggered flood rescues and transport disruption across southeast Queensland after intense rainfall affected the Gold Coast, Brisbane, and the Scenic Rim, where emergency responders handled more than 300 requests for assistance.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Maila remained over the Solomon Sea at 06:00 UTC on April 8, 2026, with sustained winds of 165 km/h (103 mph) and a central pressure of 941 hPa, while beginning a gradual weakening trend after recent rapid intensification. The system is moving slowly northward at 6 km/h (3.7 mph) and is forecast to track west to southwest toward southeastern Papua New Guinea before entering the Coral Sea later this week.
Tropical Cyclone Narelle generated a widespread dust storm across arid regions of Western Australia after making landfall near the Gascoyne Coast on March 27, 2026. The event produced dark red sky conditions in Shark Bay and Denham, while severe flooding and multiple rescues were reported across affected regions.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle made landfall just south of Coral Bay, Western Australia, on March 27, 2026, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain, and coastal impacts across the northwest coast. The storm caused significant damage in Exmouth, disrupted essential services, and forced the shutdown of major LNG facilities.
A multi-hazard weather system began affecting south-eastern Australia on March 26, 2026, bringing severe thunderstorms to parts of New South Wales, followed by damaging winds, hazardous surf along the NSW coast, a sharp temperature drop, and snow in alpine areas. Forecasts through March 28 called for gusts up to 120 km/h (75 mph) in exposed coastal areas, offshore wave heights of several meters, and wintry conditions over higher terrain, while NSW SES reported hundreds of storm-related incidents during the initial phase of the event.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle strengthened to Category 4 off the coast of Western Australia on March 26, 2026, and was forecast to pass close to the North West Cape before tracking south along the Gascoyne coast on March 27. The Bureau of Meteorology warned the system could bring very destructive wind gusts up to 275 km/h (171 mph), dangerous storm surge, and heavy rainfall capable of producing flash flooding across parts of the Pilbara and Gascoyne.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle re-intensified, reaching Category 3 strength off the coast of Western Australia on March 25, 2026, and is forecast to strengthen further while tracking parallel to the Pilbara coast. The system reached Category 3 intensity with sustained winds of 130 km/h (81 mph), with forecasts indicating strengthening to Category 4 as it approaches the North West Cape late March 26.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensified into a Category 5 system on March 19, 2026, and is forecast to cross the Cape York Peninsula between Lockhart River and Cape Melville, Queensland, on the morning of March 20. Very destructive wind gusts of more than 250 km/h (155 mph), heavy rainfall of 100 to 350 mm (4 to 14 inches), and dangerous coastal conditions including abnormally high tides and large waves are forecast near and south of the landfall area, although slight weakening to a high-end Category 4 before crossing remains possible.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is forecast to intensify to Category 5 peak intensity over the Coral Sea before approaching the Far North Queensland coast between Lockhart River and Cooktown on March 20, 2026. Destructive winds of over 250 km/h (155 mph), along with rainfall totals over 350 mm (14 inches), are expected to triggere flash flooding, significant storm surges, and coastal flooding.
