Tropical Cyclone Marcus threatens northern Australia with flooding downpours

Tropical Cyclone Marcus will continue to threaten Australia's Kimberley region with flooding rainfall into Monday.

Marcus is currently a Category 1 tropical cyclone, equal in strength to a tropical storm in the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.

The storm will unload flooding downpours on northwestern Australia into Monday.

The slow-moving nature of Marcus will result in heavy rain and areas of flooding across the Kimberley coast into Monday.

From Friday evening into Saturday evening, 110 mm (about 4 inches) of rain fell in Warruwi, which is located along the northern coast of Northern Territory.

On Sunday evening, a wind gust to near 80 km/h (50 mph) was reported on Adele Island, just off the northern coast of Western Australia.

The potential exists for the tropical downpours to leave a general 100-200 mm (4-8 inches) of rain with locally higher amounts.

Even if flooding does not ensue, motorists should prepare for disruptions and hazards. Downpours can reduce visibility as standing water heightens the risk for vehicles to hydroplane when traveling at highway speeds.

The storm is expected to continue to strengthen after pushing away from the Kimberley region. However, its anticipated track should allow the rest of Western Australia to escape any impacts beyond rough surf buffeting the northern coast.

Beyond this tropical threat, Nicholls is monitoring the potential for another tropical low to form over the Gulf of Carpentaria or Arafura Sea later this week.

"There is a small chance that any low can strengthen to a cyclone late this week," he said. "Regardless, there is concern for additional heavy rain and flooding over the Top End at that time."

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