Darwin has hit fever pitch in its final preparations for the impending arrival of Cyclone Fina , with winding queues at petrol stations, bottle shops and the city's dump.

The system is expected to start impacting the Northern Territory capital by early Saturday morning, with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) predicting it could reach as high as a category three system.

The BOM's Shenagh Gamble said the worst of the conditions in Darwin were expected on Saturday. Loading...

She expected Darwin residents would be told on Saturday to take shelter as destructive winds and severe thunderstorms developed.

"There may be periods during the day where conditions seem to ease, and this is typical during a cyclone event, but it will be temporary, so do not assume that the danger has passed unti

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