Top End’s 2024 Wet season opening predicted, residents warned to prepare

Unusually warmer temperatures and earlier floods are the big predictions for this upcoming Wet season, with experts sharing how to prepare for chaotic weather.

NT Emergency Service director Fleur O’Connor (left) and Shenagh Gamble (right) of the Bureau of Meteorology speak to media about the Territory's 2024 wet and summer season. Picture: Harry Brill.

Unusually warmer temperatures and earlier floods are the big predictions for this upcoming Wet season, with experts giving residents a glimpse into what the coming months may look like – and how to prepare for it.

Shenagh Gamble of the Bureau of Meteorology on Tuesday told media Territorians could expect higher temperatures than usual to start the Wet season.

“From October through to December we are expecting to see unusually warm maximum and minimum temperatures,” she said.

“A lot of that is being driven by the warmer seas surface temperatures that we are seeing around the north of Australia.”

Ms Gamble said greater moisture in the atmosphere would enable the development of tropical lows and cyclones, as well as “more severe” thunderstorms and heavier rainfall events.

Shenagh Gamble of the Bureau of Meteorology discussing the upcoming wet season with a team of weather experts. Picture: Harry Brill.

Earlier floods have also been predicted for the Top End.

“Since we had quite an extreme flooding season during last year’s Wet season, much of the territory was impacted by flooding, so we do still see quite a lot of moisture in the first meter of soil on the ground,” she said.

“That, combined with the potential for heavy rainfall events during the months leading into Christmas, leads us to a heavier or a greater chance of having flooding during these months.”

Residents of Borroloola were evacuated earlier this year when their town was cut off by the severe weather effects of Cyclone Megan. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Gamble urged remote communities to stay updated on flood warnings.

“We do encourage people to pay attention to those severe weather warnings and flood watch advices when they are issued, because they will also give you early and good information about the flood risk for your community,” she said.

“A flood watch is issued up to four days in advance of seeing heavy rain that could cause even local flooding in your community, and a severe weather warning will also give you a really good indication of rainfall amounts that could result in flooding in your community and impacts on your rivers.”

Flooding in Borroloola impacted the region for weeks. Picture: Supplied.

With several floods and cyclones having displaced various communities last season, NT Emergency Service director Fleur O’Connor said authorities were in the midst of reviewing their preparation and evacuation procedures.

“We ask people to understand the risk, whether it’s a flood risk or cyclone risk for their community, and prepare accordingly,” she said.

Ms O’Connor urged residents to be proactive and stock up on essential items in the event of an emergency.

“(This) can include food, water, battery-operated radios, anything that can sustain you on your own for 72 hours.”

To stay updated on weather, visit www.bom.gov.au/nt/

Originally published as Top End’s 2024 Wet season opening predicted, residents warned to prepare