Ex-tropical cyclone Lincoln could redevelop into a severe storm after crossing into Western Australia on Monday, forcing communities to prepare for heavy rain.

February 20, 2024

A massive storm that lashed the Top End with heavy rain could gather strength and redevelop into a tropical cyclone.

The weather system, which was formerly Tropical Cyclone Lincoln, crossed into Western Australia near Halls Creek late on Monday and was tracking toward the coast.

It’s expected to move west-northwest through the Kimberley, bringing heavy rain, strong winds and flash flooding, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned.

The weather system is likely to cross the coast by mid-week and could gather strength and redevelop into a tropical cyclone as it tracks south.

The bureau said it was possible the weather system could cross the coast near Exmouth at the weekend as a severe tropical cyclone.

The system has bucketed heavy rain in the Northern Territory in recent days, with 24-hour totals of more than 100mm recorded in some areas.

A severe weather warning was in place from Lajamanu to Halls Creek, with six hourly rainfall totals up to 100mm and flash flooding possible.

The northern Tanami and the southern Gregory Districts in the NT should prepare for potential flash flooding on Monday and Tuesday.

A flood watch is in place for parts of Bonaparte coastal rivers, Carpentaria coastal rivers and central inland rivers in the NT.

It extends into WA’s Kimberley region and also takes in the Fitzroy Rivers and Sturt Creek district.

Catchments in these areas are already wet because of rain over recent weeks and are likely to respond quickly to further heavy falls, the bureau said.

Major flood warnings remain in place for Queensland’s already saturated far northwest.

Heavy rainfall in the region caused by ex-cyclone Lincoln has triggered warnings for the Diamantina, Nicholson and Flinders rivers.