There is a high chance of a Gulf of Carpentaria tropical cyclone this weekend, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
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The direct area likely impacted is the NT/Queensland border to Burketown with a watch zone from Port McArthur in the NT to the border.
At deadline the BoM said a tropical low was currently 7km north northeast of Mornington Island and 130km east of the NT border with sustained winds near the centre of 55 kilometres per hour and wind gusts to 95 kilometres per hour.
The system is moving southwest at 6km an hour and may form into a tropical cyclone by tonight.
As the first cyclone of the season, if it develops it will be called Alfred.
It is possible that the system may reach category 2 intensity near the border on Saturday, but this will be highly dependent on the system taking a track over water during the next 24 hours.
The Bureau says gales may develop about coastal and island communities between Burketown and the NT/Queensland border today, before possibly extending to Port McArthur (NT) on Saturday.
Destructive winds, with gusts in excess of 125 kilometres per hour, may occur near the NT/Queensland border during Saturday.
Heavy rain, which may lead to localised flash flooding, is also possible in areas about the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast, islands and adjacent inland areas during today and over the weekend.
Abnormally high tides are expected about the southern Gulf of Carpentaria coast today and over the weekend, but at this stage the sea level is not forecast to exceed the highest tide of the year. Large waves are likely along the beachfront.
People between Burketown (Queensland) and the NT/Queensland border should take precautions and listen to the next advice at around 8am this morning.
For cyclone preparedness and safety advice, visit Queensland's Disaster Management Services website (www.disaster.qld.gov.au)
For emergency assistance call the Qld Fire and Emergency Service on 132 500.
Finalise your emergency kit preparations;
Clear your premises of potential wind borne missiles;
Commence home shelter preparations, or decide now where you will shelter;
If your present accommodation is not to code, or you re unsure, you should arrange to shelter with friends, family or in a public shelter or strong building.
Do not move to shelter until advised by local authorities.