Cyclone may not form over Northern Territory

Territorians will likely be crossing their fingers hoping that a powerful storm over the Top End doesn't form into a cyclone this weekend.

The Bureau of Meteorology says there's a chance the low-pressure system - which has been pummelling the Top End with driving rain and gale force winds, and whipping up very heavy surf - may not move into the Gulf of Carpentaria and form a category 1 cyclone this afternoon.

"It's still a fairly warm, deep system, so we can't totally rule out the possibility that it will (become a cyclone) sometime this weekend," forecaster Angeline Prasad said.

A cyclone watch issued for the coast from Port Roper to the Queensland border, including Groote Eylandt, was still in effect last night.