Monsoon officially arrives in Top End with heavy falls and gusty winds expected from Sunday

The monsoon has officially arrived in the Top End and is expected to bring widespread heavy falls from Sunday into next week.

Already coastal and western parts have received rainfall of between 50 to 100 millimetres over the last few days.

But the Bureau of Meteorology says the trough will deepen over the weekend, as will a tropical low that has been slowly developing south west of Darwin.

The Bureau’s Shenagh Gamble says the low is forecast to move south east, increasing rainy and windy conditions in areas including Darwin and Palmerston.

“So we can expect widespread rainfall totals each day of around 50 to 100 millimetres of rain with heavy falls possible, particularly if we have a thunderstorm in the area,” Ms Gamble says.

Those thunderstorms could also bring destructive wind gusts of around 90 to 120 kilometres an hour and isolated rainfall totals above 200 millimetres.

“We’re really expecting to see the onset of these stronger winds and heavier rainfall from Sunday and seeing this really continue for a few days into next week,” Ms Gamble says.

Strong winds and higher than normal tides are also predicted for coastal parts.

Ms Gamble says the risk of the low forming into a cyclone has decreased considerably in the last 24 hours.

“So we really don’t expect to see a tropical cyclone.”

But it is strange for the monsoon to arrive this late in the wet season.

“It is a bit unusual because it is our first significant rainfall event across the Top End this year so we have seen a later start to the monsoon,” Ms Gamble says.

A flood watch has been issued today for several catchment areas including the Adelaide River, Katherine River, Daly River and Victoria River, with significant river rises expected next week.

Territorians are being told to stay informed, with the BOM expecting to issue more severe weather warnings.

At this stage the squarely conditions will last for about a week.