Cyclone Narelle crosses the Gulf of Carpentaria, Australia
From 20 to 23 March 2026, Tropical Cyclone Narelle moved westward across northern Australia, prompting national warnings.
After crossing Cape York Peninsula, the system re-intensified over the Gulf of Carpentaria, triggering alerts for coastal communities in the Northern Territory, particularly Arnhem Land. Strengthening winds, heavy rainfall, and an elevated risk of flooding and storm surge accompanied the cyclone's passage over open waters.
This Copernicus Sentinel-1 image, acquired on 21 March 2026 at 09:18 UTC, shows the eye of the cyclone in the waters off Groote Eylandt and north-east Arnhem Land.
Copernicus Sentinel-1 enables the observation of sea surface conditions through radar measurements, including variations in roughness and wave patterns, regardless of cloud cover or time of day.
