PEOPLE in the Top End are being warned to prepare for strong winds, after a cyclone watch was declared in response to a strengthening low-pressure system.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued the alert for the areas between Cape Hotham, northeast of Darwin, and Kalumburu in Western Australia.
The area includes Darwin and the Tiwi Islands.
Senior bureau forecaster Ashley Patterson said the chances of a cyclone forming tomorrow were above 50 per cent.
Today the chance of a cyclone forming was put at moderate, that is, between 20 and 50 per cent.
Northern Territory Chief Minister Paul Henderson said people should prepare for danger but not be alarmed.
“People should have their kits together and just monitor the media bulletins,” Mr Henderson said.
“We all know as we live in the Top End that these systems are unpredictable, that it will develop over the next few days.”
A cyclone watch is one step below a cyclone warning and indicates the chance of a cyclone forming in coming days is growing but that the threat is not imminent.
The strengthening tropical low is thought to be about 265km north-northwest of Darwin and moving west at 7km/h parallel to the coast.
Mr Patterson said gales were not expected in coastal waters within 24 hours.
The bureau said residents should prepare their emergency kits and home shelters, and clear their yards and balconies.
Those whose homes are not of building code standard should decide which public emergency shelter to use.
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