Overview
- Bureau track maps show a crossing near Cape Don and the Tiwi Islands late Friday into early Saturday before the system passes north of Darwin and moves through Van Diemen Gulf.
- Gales to about 120 km/h and destructive gusts up to 155 km/h are forecast for parts of the Cobourg Peninsula and Tiwi Islands, with heavy rain of 50–200 mm a day and isolated falls near 300 mm.
- A cyclone warning now covers Darwin, the Tiwi Islands and Cape Hotham to Warruwi, with earlier watches expanded; flood watches are active for the Finniss, Mary, Wildman, South and East Alligator, Goomadeer and lower Adelaide rivers.
- Authorities have deployed extra police to remote communities, closed several Tiwi and West Arnhem schools, and airlines have begun cancelling some flights as residents stock supplies and events are called off.
- Forecasts indicate Fina could intensify over the southern Timor Sea from Sunday, with meteorologists flagging a developing risk for the Kimberley that WA agencies say warrants early preparation.