TC Esther crossed the coast near the NT/Queensland border around 11am as a category 1 system.
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While it is expected to lose cyclone strength and continue as a tropical low, it will bring significant rain and wind as it moves west across the base of the Top End over the next few days.
The Bureau of Meteorology this afternoon said much of the rain associated with the system is forecast to drop south of Katherine, but Katherine could see some rain Tuesday and across Wednesday and Thursday is likely to receive daily falls of between 20-50mm and up to 100mm.
The heaviest rain today is forecast to fall in the Carpentaria district, with greater than 100mm widespread rain set to fall mostly in the east and some areas likely to receive up to 300mm.
The Northern Barkly district can expect 30-80mm of rain today and up to 150mm mostly in the northeast, while 10-20mm and up to 40mm in some areas may fall in the Southern Barkly, also mostly in the east.
Significant rain should reach Darwin by Thursday, due to the combination of the system moving far enough west by then and an expected monsoon trough also forming nearby.
The Carpentaria, Northern Barkly and Gregory districts are set for a soaking Tuesday and Wednesday, with average daily falls around 100mm.
The Southern Barkly won't miss out. It's forecast to receive 10-20mm and up to 40mm daily across Tuesday and Wednesday.
Robinson River, the closest community to the system as it moves in from the coast, is likely to receive at least 250mm to 450mm, and possibly much higher, over the next few days.
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