Source: Bureau of Meteorology

For people in parts of North West Pastoral and North East Pastoral districts.

Issued at 10:49 am Monday, 16 March 2026.

HEAVY RAINFALL ACROSS THE NORTH TODAY, WITH LOCALLY INTENSE RAINFALL POSSIBLE. INTENSE RAINFALL BECOMES MORE LIKELY NORTH OF MARREE FROM TONIGHT.

Weather Situation: A tropical low situated in the southwestern NT is feeding rich tropical moisture along a surface trough to its southeast. Meanwhile an upper trough is moving across the Nullarbor coast. The combination of these two systems will bring the risk of heavy rainfall to northern parts of the state today through to Wednesday. Heavy rainfall is expected to slowly move eastwards during the day.

HEAVY RAINFALL which may lead to FLASH FLOODING is forecast for parts of the North West Pastoral today, extending into the North East Pastoral during the afternoon. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 50 and 80 mm are likely. 24-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 120 mm are likely, with isolated falls around 160 mm possible.

INTENSE RAINFALL which may lead to DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODING is locally possible within the warning area, more likely in northwestern parts of the North East Pastoral district from late this evening. Six-hourly rainfall totals between 80 and 100 mm are likely, with falls up to 120 mm possible. INTENSE RAINFALL may begin to ease later on Tuesday morning.

Flood Watches and Warnings are current for the area. Please refer to https://www.bom.gov.au/weather-and-climate/warnings-and-alerts/ for more information.

Locations which may be affected include Marla, Coober Pedy, Oodnadatta, Marree, Ernabella and Amata.

The State Emergency Service advises that people should:
* Don't drive, ride or walk through flood water;
* Keep clear of creeks and storm drains;
* Stay indoors, away from windows, while conditions are severe.