Much of the Northern Territory's Top End is on alert for potentially damaging winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour as a "vigorous" tropical monsoon intensifies over the region, threatening to wash out New Year's Eve fireworks.
On Friday, the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) issued a severe weather warning for damaging winds, stretching from the West Australian border to the eastern tip of Arnhem Land, including Greater Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
The BOM warned "persistent monsoonal squalls are expected to bring a risk of damaging wind gusts to the western Top End and the north coast over the coming days".
Rainfall totals of up to 60mm are predicted today and 80mm in Darwin.
"At the moment, we're experiencing a fairly vigorous monsoon across the Top End," BOM forecaster Sally Cutter said.
"So, what we're going to see is squally showers moving on to the west coast and along the north coast and even right across the Top End, and the some of them may produce some damaging wind gusts."
The BOM has also issued a flood watch for the Bonaparte Coastal Rivers, North-West Coastal Rivers and East Kimberley catchments as well as a marine wind warning.
"We could also see some fairly significant seas at anything that's exposed to the westerly winds. We could see some significant waves … so check for warnings for that as well," Ms Cutter said.
Ms Cutter said the weather was being driven by a "good monsoonal flow right through Indonesia".
"Those winds are feeding into the ex-tropical cyclone [Ellie] over the Kimberley.
"So Ellie is tapping into those winds, which is helping accelerate those winds across the Timor Sea."
Monsoon threatens NYE plans
Ms Cutter said the weather conditions were going to make this weekend a wet and windy one.
"This is going to continue — unfortunately, for those [who] want fine weather for New Year's Eve — right through the weekend and into early next week," she said.
The deluge is already impacting plans to bring in 2023, with the Darwin Waterfront this afternoon releasing a statement saying it would make a decision on Saturday morning as to whether the event would proceed.
"If the current weather continues, or conditions worsen, the New Year’s Event will not proceed as planned," a spokeswoman said.
"[Darwin Waterfront Corporation] will make the final decision on whether to continue with the NYE event at 9am tomorrow.
"This will be based on the latest advice issued by the BoM and event site conditions to ensure safety of all patrons, event staff and performers."
The monsoon is the latest in a series of wild weather events impacting much of the Northern Territory in recent weeks.
Birds of Tokyo and Bananas in Pyjamas are scheduled as a part of the New Year's Eve celebrations, as well as two fireworks displays.
Northern Territory police are warning people to take extra care on the roads and on the water, given the weather conditions.
"Let's not start off the New Year by making excuses for poor decision making," Commander James Joseph O'Brien said.
He also said there would be an increased police presence across the greater Darwin region on New Year's Eve, focusing on public safety, antisocial behaviour, violence and drink driving.
There will also be an increased number of police in Alice Springs, expanding on its ongoing Operation Drina which was set up following a spate of serious criminal incidents in the town.
