Tropical Cyclone Narelle 09:00 Thursday 26 March 2026 (AWST)
As at 09:00 Thursday 26 March 2026, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) advises Tropical Cyclone Narelle lies north of Port Hedland and is tracking steadily to the west-southwest.
The environment is favourable, and the system is forecast to continue intensifying, with the forecast indicating category 4 by Thursday afternoon.
A period of rapid intensification is likely during the next 30 hours, and the chance of Narelle reaching category 5 intensity while north of the Pilbara coast is around 30%.
There is high confidence in the track to the west-southwest on Thursday, roughly parallel to the Pilbara coast. The extent of gales and storm force winds south of Narelle is likely to be larger than normal.
Sustained gales are occurring over coastal parts of the Pilbara, with storm force winds just offshore.
As of 09:00 Thursday 26 2026, Pilbara Ports has closed the Ports of Ashburton, Cape Preston West, Dampier and Varanus Island.
All recreational vessel owners must safely secure their vessels for cyclonic conditions.
For specific information regarding your location, please refer to DFES emergency alerts website.
For the latest cyclone warnings visit www.bom.gov.au/cyclone.
The port was established in the mid-1960s to support the development of the Pilbara region resources sector and the export of iron ore to overseas markets. The first shipment of iron ore departed the port in August 1966.
Subsequent growth and diversification at the port saw the development of new facilities for the export of salt, hydrocarbon processed products, condensate, liquefied petroleum gas, and anhydrous ammonia.
Dampier is a coastal town in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, situated 20 kilometres by road from Karratha and 1,500 kms from Perth.
The Port of Dampier fact sheet takes a look at key operational facts and figures for the 2023-24 financial year. Also included is a detailed map showing infrastructure and facilities at the port.