Unprecedented Cyclone Activity Recorded in Southern Hemisphere
On February 25, 2025, six tropical cyclones were recorded in the Southern Hemisphere. This included three in the South Pacific and others in the Indian Ocean. Notable storms included Cyclones Honde, Garance, and Alfred. The cyclones’ occurrence is influenced by La Niña conditions, contributing to warm sea temperatures and reduced wind shear.
On February 25, 2025, the Southern Hemisphere experienced an extraordinary weather event with six tropical cyclones concurrently observed in both the South Pacific and the Southern Indian Oceans. This unusual phenomenon included three tropical cyclones within the South Pacific, matching a previous record set in January 1999. Notably, the tropical cyclone season spans from November to April, heightening the focus on such occurrences during this time.
Among the active storms were Tropical Cyclone Honde, located off the coast of Mozambique, Tropical Cyclone Garance near Madagascar, and Hurricane Bianca to the west of Australia. Additionally, Hurricane Alfred was situated to the northeast of Australia, while Tropical Cyclones Seru and Rae were positioned north of New Zealand. Environmental factors contributing to this cyclone abundance included reduced wind shear and elevated sea-surface temperatures, primarily attributed to the effects of La Niña, as noted by AccuWeather Lead International Expert Jason Nicholls.
Tropical Cyclone Garance is expected to travel southward off the coast of Madagascar, potentially impacting Reunion Island. The forecast indicates that Garance may approach Reunion as a hurricane, a rare event since Cyclone Firinga in 1989. Prior to this, Cyclone Beryl in 1961 was the only hurricane documented to strike Reunion directly, despite numerous tropical storms affecting the island throughout the years.
Hurricane Alfred, which developed in the Coral Sea on February 24, continues to intensify as it moves southward. According to AccuWeather Lead Long-Range Expert Paul Pastelok, the cyclone is predicted to influence northeast Queensland over the weekend, causing hazardous flooding and strong winds.
In summary, the Southern Hemisphere recorded six simultaneous tropical cyclones, highlighting the significant impact of atmospheric conditions during this period. The storms, particularly Tropical Cyclone Garance and Hurricane Alfred, are expected to affect multiple regions, notably Madagascar and northeast Queensland. The underlying factors for this cyclone activity have been linked to La Niña and favorable oceanic conditions. Historical references to past hurricanes add context to the unprecedented nature of these weather events.
Original Source: www.accuweather.com
