Warning as Tropical Cyclone Fina forecast to make U-turn towards coast

Residents have been told to seek shelter as Tropical Cyclone Fina performs a U-turn and carves its destructive path directly towards the northern Top End coast.

Warnings are in place for residents from Cape Don to Warruwi, including Cobourg Peninsula and Minjilang, as Tropical Cyclone Fina moves closer to the mainland.

On Wednesday evening, the cyclone was upgraded to category 2 and is continuing its slow trail eastwards.

Due to the unpredictable nature of tropical cyclones, there is a chance it could develop into a more intense system.

“An increase to category 3 at some point can’t be ruled out as it nears land,” the Bureau of Meteorology website reads.

The tropical cyclone is forecast to make a U-turn on Thursday and track south towards the Northern Territory’s north coast.

It is travelling with wind gusts exceeding 90km/h near the centre and could reach 135km/h.

While it is still 395km northeast of Darwin, the bureau expects it to approach the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands on Friday, likely impacting the northwest coast.

Residents in the area have been told to stay alert, as the tropical cyclone brings lashings of heavy rain, damaging winds with destructive gusts and abnormally high tides.

“We may see some locally destructive winds gusts up to 135km/h developing for parts of the Northern Territory coastline between Cape Don and Warruwi through late Thursday into early Friday,” senior meteorologist Miriam Bradbury said.

As the tropical cyclone approaches, the bureau warned residents of the dangers of rapidly rising rivers and creeks.

A flood watch is in place for the Finniss River, Mary River, Wildman River, South Alligator River, East Alligator River, Goomadeer River, Adelaide River below Adelaide River Town and the Tiwi Islands.

“Many roads may become impassable and some communities and homesteads may become isolated,” the bureau website reads.

Locals have already started reporting an increase in water levels, with roads cut off across parts of the Northern Territory on Wednesday afternoon.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, NT Police Acting Assistant Commissioner and regional controller James O’Brien said the emergency services were ready for action.

“We have sent extra police to the Tiwi Islands to support the three local committees to ensure they’re well engaged in making sure the communities are resilient,” he said.

“We have a very well established incident management team and northern regional committee, we’ve been dealing with cyclones for many years and have a very trusted and competent team.”

He told residents the threat was not imminent but to prepare to take cover.

“Be prepared but don’t panic,” he said.

Conditions will also be wet and wild further south, as a polar air mass drives cold air for residents in Tasmania, Victoria and NSW’s high country.

According to Weatherzone, Australia is in a negative phase of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), which is pushing cold weather towards the country from the Southern Ocean.

As cold air moves over a part of the ocean that is relatively warm, it produces a broad band of individual cumulus clouds that can bring hail, thunderstorms, rain and even snow.

Snow has started to fall again in Tasmania, marking a cold end to spring for the year.

The bureau has warned bushwalkers of “hazardous” conditions, as snow continues to fall across the Western and Central Plateau districts.

”Bush walkers are advised that snow as low as 700m is expected during today,” the warning reads.