A tropical storm has today developed into a tropical cyclone just 3kms from the centre of Darwin reports WeatherWatch.co.nz.  The cyclone, which is named Carlos, brought floods and destructive winds to the city overnight local time.

The cyclone currently is a category 1 storm but is expected to strengthen to category 2 strength overnight.

Here’s the latest from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology…

The cyclone is expected to take a south or southwestward track tomorrow after moving slowly into the Beagle Gulf today.

GALES with gusts to 110 kilometres per hour are currently being experienced on the coast between Darwin and Point Stuart. GALES are expected to develop over the southern Tiwi Islands later today, and may extend further south to Daly River Mouth tonight and as far as Port Keats on Thursday.

DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 130 kilometres per hour may develop over the southern Tiwi Islands early Thursday if the system continues to intensify. DESTRUCTIVE WINDS with gusts to 130 kilometres per hour may extend to the coast between Darwin and Daly River Mouth later Thursday or early Friday.

GALES may develop between Point Stuart and Goulburn Island, including Croker Island tonight, if the cyclone takes a more easterly track.

Tides will be HIGHER THAN NORMAL between Point Stuart and Daly River Mouth, including the Tiwi Islands. Large waves may produce MINOR FLOODING of low-lying coastal areas.

HEAVY RAIN is causing widespread flooding in the northern Darwin-Daly District and the Tiwi Islands.

• Details of Tropical Cyclone Carlos at 9:30 am CST:
  
• Centre located near…… 12.4 degrees South 130.9 degrees East
• Location accuracy…….. within 30 kilometres
• Recent movement………. towards the northeast at 5 kilometres per hour
• Wind gusts near centre… 95 kilometres per hour
• Severity category…….. 1
• Central pressure……… 996 hectoPascals

Graphic / Weatherzone