Tropical Cyclone Megan is impacting the Northern Territory coast as a category three system with concerns it could intensify, bringing 200km/h winds and intense rainfall.
The weather system intensified to a category three on Sunday with the Bureau of Meteorology warning there was a 20 per cent chance it could develop into a category four by Monday night.
‘Severe Tropical Cyclone Megan is beginning to impact the southwestern Gulf of Carpentaria coast,’ the Bureau of Meteorology advised at 8pm (ACST) on Sunday.
Cyclone Megan will bring 200kmh winds at its destructive core. Picture WeatherZone
Forecasters say there is a moderate chance Megan could develop into a category four system.
The cyclone is forecast to hit the NT coast on Monday evening with a warning area spanning hundreds of kilometres – from Alyangula on Groote Eylandt in the NT to the Queensland border and inland to Borroloola, the McArthur River Mine and Robinson River.
‘There is a moderate chance that this system could develop into a category four tropical cyclone,’ the bureau’s Shenagh Gamble said on Sunday.
The core of the cyclone has been called destructive, bringing wind gusts of up to 220km/h and rainfall totals of between 300mm and 400mm.
Meanwhile, possible rainfall totals of between 150mm and 200mm and wind gusts of up to 110km/h are forecast in the broader warning zone which includes dozens of towns.
Flood watches are in place for the Carpentaria to Arnhem and Barkly.
Tropical Cyclone Megan is now a category three system as it moves toward the Northern Territory coast, with the possibility it could intensify to category four.
The bureau said the flood warnings could expand as the cyclone hits the coast.
It might already be too late for some residents to leave as the cyclone approaches.
‘When the tropical cyclone does arrive, we need you to take shelter inside,’ NT Police Superintendent Sonia Kennon said on Sunday.
‘Stay indoors until all clear is given by the authorities.’
The weather system is expected to return to a tropical low as it heads further inland on Tuesday and Wednesday.
‘We expect it to maintain tropical cyclone intensity all the way through to Borroloola and even to McArthur River Mine,’ Ms Gamble said.
Megan has formed a month after category one ex-tropical Cyclone Lincoln crossed the territory’s coast in the southern Gulf of Carpentaria, bringing high winds and heavy rainfall.
READ MORE: Tropical Cyclone Megan has formed off the coast of northern causing severe weather warnings as it heads towards the Northern Territory
Tropical Cyclone Megan was officially declared on Saturday evening