Top End’s weather forecast is a mixed bag of lollies for Cup Day

A ‘muggy and sweaty’ Cup Day is ahead for Top End punters the Bureau of Meteorology says.

TOP End fashionistas should hold onto their fascinators because the weather forecast for Cup Day resembles the odds of picking the winning horse.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) senior forecaster Mr Lynch said there was potential for rain but the odds were low.

“For any activities this afternoon for the Cup, the chance of rain is low but there is a chance for some showers or thunderstorms this afternoon,” Mr Lynch said.

“For the rest of the morning it’s going to be cloudy and some light to moderate rain but by about midday I think we’ll start to see a few sunny breaks.”

NT Emergency Service Northern Command planning officer Brian Hennessy was prepared with an umbrella for the wet weather on Tuesday morning. Picture: Floss Adams.

Mr Lynch said it would likely be sticky and muggy about 1.30pm when the Melbourne Cup race starts.

“It will be sticky, partly cloudy and probably not full sun,” he said.

“There will be some cloud cover but I think the sun will be trying to break through and it will feel muggy and sweaty.”

Mr Lynch said the Top End was in La Nina alert but the BOM would not be able to declare it until later next month.

“We are in La Nina alert which means there’s three times the chances compared to normal but we haven’t declared a La Nina yet, we’re still on alert,” he said.