Tropical Cyclone Mitchell Intensifies to Category 2, Threatening Exmouth and Ningaloo Coast

Cyclone Mitchell Update Time: 4:00 PM AWST, 8 Feb 2026

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell (21U) has strengthened to a Category 2 system and is currently impacting parts of Western Australia’s northwest coast, with dangerous weather conditions developing across the Onslow and Exmouth regions. The cyclone is expected to move toward the North West Cape this evening before tracking further southwest along the Ningaloo coast, bringing destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and coastal flooding risks over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Authorities have issued cyclone warnings for coastal and inland communities as the system maintains strong intensity while remaining over warm waters offshore.

Current Location and Movement of Tropical Cyclone Mitchell

As of 4:00 PM Australian Western Standard Time, Tropical Cyclone Mitchell was located within 30 kilometres of latitude 21.4 degrees South and longitude 114.3 degrees East. The system was positioned approximately 90 kilometres west northwest of Onslow and 60 kilometres north northeast of Exmouth.

The cyclone is moving southwest at around 19 kilometres per hour and is forecast to maintain Category 2 intensity as it approaches the far west Pilbara coast. Current projections indicate a possible landfall near Exmouth late this evening or during the early hours of Monday morning.

Sustained winds near the centre are estimated at 110 kilometres per hour, with damaging wind gusts reaching up to 155 kilometres per hour near the core of the system.

Warning and Watch Zones in Effect for WA

A cyclone warning zone is currently in place from Onslow to south of Carnarvon, including Exmouth, and extending inland through parts of the western Pilbara and northwest Gascoyne regions. Residents within these areas are advised to prepare for severe weather impacts tonight and into Monday.

A watch zone has also been declared from south of Carnarvon to Overlander Roadhouse, including Denham and inland areas such as Gascoyne Junction, where conditions are expected to deteriorate as the system tracks southward.

At this stage, no areas have been removed from warning status.

Destructive Winds Expected Across Coastal Areas due to Cyclone Mitchell

Destructive wind gusts reaching up to 155 km/h are already affecting coastal locations west of Onslow and are forecast to develop across the North West Cape, including Exmouth, during the evening. These damaging winds may extend further south toward Coral Bay by Monday morning.

Gales with damaging gusts up to 120 km/h are currently occurring along coastal areas from west of Mardie to Exmouth. These conditions are expected to spread inland through the western Pilbara and northern Gascoyne overnight. By Monday afternoon and evening, gale-force winds may extend further south toward Carnarvon, Denham, and Gascoyne Junction.

Heavy Rainfall and Flash Flooding Risk Increasing

Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall is expected across the west Pilbara coast, with rainfall extending into the west Gascoyne region on Monday. Localised intense rainfall may lead to severe flash flooding, particularly near coastal communities around Onslow later today and extending toward Exmouth and Ningaloo overnight.

Low-lying areas, flood-prone roads, and coastal communities are at increased risk as rainbands associated with the cyclone move inland.

Coastal Flooding and Abnormally High Tides due to Cyclone Mitchell

Abnormally high tides are forecast along the west Pilbara coastline, including Onslow and Exmouth, during this afternoon and again with Monday morning’s high tide. These elevated sea levels may result in flooding of low-lying coastal areas, especially where strong onshore winds coincide with high tide cycles.

Similar conditions are expected along the Gascoyne coast, including Carnarvon, where coastal flooding may occur during Monday afternoon’s high tide.

Safety Advice for Residents 

Residents within warning and watch zones are urged to finalise cyclone preparations and stay updated with official warnings. Authorities recommend monitoring emergency information and following safety advice issued by local emergency services.

For the latest community alerts and emergency updates, residents should visit the Emergency WA website or use the Emergency WA mobile application. Staying indoors during severe conditions and avoiding coastal areas is strongly advised as the cyclone approaches.

Tropical Cyclone Mitchell remains a dangerous system, and conditions are expected to worsen across affected areas through tonight and Monday as the cyclone tracks along the Western Australian coastline.

If you are in an old update,  check latest