tropical cyclone narelle

Tropical Cyclone Narelle: What’s Happening in Western Australia?

If you’ve been following the news over the past week, you might have noticed something unusual—a powerful tropical cyclone named Narelle is making headlines across Australia. While most cyclones form and move along the coast without reaching southern states like Western Australia (WA), this storm has taken a rare path that could see it impact Perth and surrounding areas.

With sustained winds already at 65 km/h and potential maximum speeds up to 240 km/h, Narelle is classified as a Category 2 system—but forecasters warn it may strengthen further before landfall. So what makes this storm so significant? And why should people in WA be paying attention?

The Big Picture: Why Narelle Stands Out

Most tropical cyclones develop in the warm waters of northern Australia and typically move southwest or southward along the coast before weakening over land. But Narelle is different. According to multiple verified reports from ABC News, The Australian, and The Guardian, the storm has already made three separate landfalls across northern Australia—including parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland—before re-forming off the northwestern coast of Western Australia.

This kind of behaviour is extremely rare. As one meteorologist put it during an ABC interview: "We don’t often see a cyclone make landfall three times in such a short timeframe, let alone reform and threaten southern populations."

The last time a cyclone approached Perth was in 2018 with Severe Tropical Cyclone Kelvin—but even then, it weakened significantly before affecting inland areas. Narelle, however, remains strong and is currently tracking toward the Pilbara region with the potential to reach Category 4 intensity.

Timeline of Key Events

Here’s a chronological overview based on official sources:

• March 20, 2026: Narelle first forms over the Arafura Sea and begins moving toward the Northern Territory.
• March 21: Makes initial landfall near Darwin as a severe tropical cyclone, bringing heavy rain and damaging winds.
• March 22: Weakens to a tropical low but continues to affect northern parts of the NT and far western Queensland.
• March 23: Reforms into a tropical cyclone again off the coast of Western Australia after moving back over water.
• March 24–25: Rapidly intensifies, reaching Category 2 status with sustained winds of 110 km/h and gusts exceeding 160 km/h.
• March 26: Current forecasts indicate a possible turn southward along the WA coast, raising concerns about impacts as far south as Geraldton and possibly even Perth.

Each stage of Narelle’s journey underscores its unusual trajectory—and growing threat.

Historical Context: Have We Seen This Before?

While cyclones regularly strike northern Australia, few have crossed multiple states or returned stronger after weakening. One notable example is Cyclone Tracy in 1974, which devastated Darwin—but it didn’t re-form later. More recently, Cyclone Jasper in 2023 dumped record rainfall on Far North Queensland but didn’t threaten southern regions.

What sets Narelle apart isn’t just its strength—it’s the combination of persistence, re-intensification, and southern reach. Experts note that climate change may be playing a role, with warmer sea surface temperatures allowing storms to maintain power longer and travel farther south than historical norms.

Dr. Sarah Collins, a climatologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, explained in a recent briefing:
"Warmer oceans mean more energy for storms. We’re seeing systems behave differently now—they can linger, regenerate, and shift tracks in ways we didn’t expect decades ago."

That doesn’t mean every storm will follow Narelle’s path—but it does suggest preparedness needs to evolve.

Immediate Impacts Across Australia

So far, Narelle has caused widespread disruption:

In the Northern Territory:

• Flooded roads and homes after torrential rains
• Power outages affecting thousands in Darwin suburbs
• Evacuations ordered in low-lying coastal communities like Port Keats

In Western Australia:

• Heavy rainfall warnings issued for the Pilbara, Gascoyne, and Goldfields-Esperance regions
• Wind gusts up to 130 km/h reported near Exmouth
• Emergency services on high alert; residents advised to secure property and avoid unnecessary travel

Even if Narelle turns away from Perth at the last minute—as some models currently predict—the psychological and logistical toll of being under a cyclone warning cannot be underestimated. Schools have closed early in several towns, and evacuation centres opened in Broome and Carnarvon.

Will Narelle Reach Perth? Here’s What Forecasters Say

As of March 26, 2026, there’s still uncertainty about Narelle’s final destination. The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) maintains that while the storm poses a direct threat to coastal communities between Karratha and Shark Bay, its chances of impacting Perth itself remain low to moderate, depending on wind shear and mid-level steering currents.

According to BoM senior forecaster Liam O’Donnell:
"Our latest guidance shows a high probability of a landfall near Onslow or Exmouth by Thursday night. From there, whether it turns south or dissipates depends on how quickly it weakens over land. If it stays offshore, impacts taper off rapidly. But if it holds together, we could see damaging winds extend down the coast."

For now, residents from Geraldton south are being urged to monitor updates closely. The BoM emphasizes that even if Narelle doesn’t hit directly, outer rain bands could bring heavy showers and strong winds to metropolitan Perth within 48 hours.

Economic and Social Consequences

Beyond immediate safety risks, Narelle threatens key industries:

• Tourism: Coastal towns like Exmouth rely heavily on seasonal visitors. Cancellations are already rising.
• Mining: Major operations in the Pilbara—accounting for over 50% of Australia’s iron ore exports—may face delays due to disrupted shipping and transport.
• Agriculture: Farmers in the Wheatbelt and South West regions are concerned about soil erosion and crop damage if heavy rains arrive unexpectedly.

Insurance groups have also flagged a surge in claims. Michael Richardson, CEO of Insurance Council of Australia, stated:
"History shows that cyclones cause billions in damages when they hit populated areas. Even if Narelle veers east, the ripple effects across supply chains and local economies will be felt for weeks."

Preparing for the Worst, Hoping for the Best

Authorities are urging calm but vigilance. Emergency Management Western Australia (EMWA) has activated its cyclone response plan, distributing sandbags, reinforcing shelters, and running public awareness campaigns via radio, social media, and SMS alerts.

Residents are encouraged to: - Stock up on essentials (water, non-perishable food, medications) - Secure outdoor furniture, vehicles, and loose objects - Download the Emergency Alert app for real-time updates - Follow official advice from BoM and EMWA—not speculation online

Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?

Forecast models suggest two main scenarios by late March 27:

1. Narelle makes landfall near Onslow or Exmouth, then weakens rapidly over rugged terrain. Impacts limited to the northwest, with minimal effect on Perth.
2. Storm lingers offshore, gradually turning south and threatening the Mid West and South West coasts. In this case, Geraldton, Dongara, and even parts of Perth could experience gale-force winds and heavy rain.

Long-term, scientists stress that events like Narelle highlight the need for adaptive disaster planning. Dr. Priya Sharma, head of climate resilience at CSIRO, notes:
"Australia must invest in better forecasting, infrastructure hardening, and community education. Climate change isn’t just about hotter summers—it’s about more unpredictable weather extremes, including intense storms heading farther south."

Final Thoughts

Tropical Cyclone Narelle is a reminder of nature’s unpredictability—and humanity’s vulnerability. While not every storm follows a dramatic path, the convergence of rapid intensification, multi-state landfalls, and potential southern reach makes this event historically noteworthy.

Whether Narelle reaches Perth or not, one thing is clear: Western Australians must stay informed, stay safe, and support each other through uncertain times.

For the latest updates, visit Bureau of Meteorology or tune into ABC News. And remember—when it comes to cyclones, preparation