Severe Tropical Cyclone Narelle is impacting coastal areas in the north-eastern Northern Territory, with the system expected to cross the coast around 3am Sunday before continuing to track west across the territory.

The cyclone made its first landfall in Australia as a powerful Category 4 storm. Meanwhile, the Atlantic Hurricane season starts in June.

Cyclone Narelle could bring wind gusts of up to 285km/h, the Bureau of Meteorology said. Residents in Queensland and the Northern Territory have been urged to stay alert. Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected to bring severe impact to Far North Queensland on Friday,

A powerful cyclone is approaching Far North Queensland, with authorities warning some communities to brace for a direct and dangerous impact. Tropical Cyclone Narelle is expected

The cyclone is expected to make landfall in Far North Queensland on Friday, March 20, before tracking westward toward the eastern Northern Territory over the weekend.

A fast-moving low pressure system tracking toward the Far North coast is a high chance of forming into a cyclone, with the Bureau feeling “confident” about its forecast path.