Cyclone Paul to blow in to Far North Queensland
UPDATE, March 29, 6.30am: The effects of category two cyclone Paul are expected to be felt in Far North Queensland as early as Wednesday.
Pictures: Cairns' amazing weather
The category two system is expected to move across the Northern Territory coast this morning, whipping up wind and rain before being downgraded to a tropical low tomorrow afternoon.
A strong wind warning has been issued for offshore Eastern Gulf waters, with seas to 3m, as the cyclone is expected to move slowly west.
Cairns forecaster Janine Yuasa said Gulf and Cape communities can expect increased rain as a result of the low by about Wednesday, with the wet weather possibly extending to Cairns by the end of the week.
Latest Cairns weather forecast
A cyclone warning continues for coastal and island communities from Milingimbi to Port Roper, including Nhulunbuy and Groote Eylandt.
A cyclone watch continues for coastal and island communities from Maningrida toMilingimbi.
At 4am Tropical Cyclone Paul, Category 2 was estimated to be 90km south of Nhulunbuy and 105km north-northeast of Alyangula.
The cyclone is currently near-stationary on the coast near Cape Shield and is expected to move further inland later today.
Destructive winds with gusts to 130km/h may develop between Nhulunbuy and Numbulwar today and tomorrow.
Gales with gusts to 110km/h are currently being experienced between Nhulunbuy and Port Roper, including Groote Eylandt. Gales may extend north to Elcho Island and west to Milingimbi later today and further west to Maningrida tomorrow if the system takes a more northerly track.
A storm tide is expected between Cape Shield and Port Roper. Tides are likely to rise significantly above the normal high tide, with damaging waves and dangerous flooding today.
Heavy rain may lead to localised flooding and significant stream rises over the eastern Top End and northern Roper-McArthur Districts today and tomorrow.
More NT cyclone news from the NT News
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