IN what would be a relatively early start to the 2009/10 tropical cyclone season, a low pressure system is slowly becoming more organised off the Top End coast and is being closely monitored for signs of further development.
The low is currently situated around 300km north of the Arnhem Land coast and is moving slowly west.
The main effect of the low on land, so far, has been an increase in cloud cover and rainfall. In the 24 hours to 9am Thursday, Upper Adelaide River picked up 31mm. Between 9am and 2pm, Pirlangimpi had received 13mm.
Another result of the increased cloud cover and humidity was a very warm night on Wednesday night. Darwin recorded an overnight minimum of 29.7 degrees, its equal highest on record.
As the low continues tracking west, the cloud, rain and high humidity will persist into the weekend. The low is expected to reach the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf by Sunday, where it should start intensifying more rapidly.
Computer model guidance is varied but, at this stage, there is around a 40-50 per cent chance of the low developing into a cyclone off the WA coast during next week.
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