Rare Occurrence of Six Tropical Storms in Southern Hemisphere

Yesterday, six tropical storms existed simultaneously in the Southern Hemisphere, a rare event last seen in 1989. The cyclones included Honde near Mozambique, Garance near Madagascar, and Alfred northeast of Australia, among others. Favorable meteorological conditions have contributed to this phenomenon. Officials have issued advisories as these storms may cause severe weather impacts in their paths.

On February 25, 2025, the Southern Hemisphere experienced an unusual phenomenon with six tropical storms, known as cyclones, occurring simultaneously in the South Pacific and southern Indian Oceans. This occurrence has not been recorded since 1989. The tropical storm season in this region typically spans from November to April, marking a period of heightened storm activity.

The six cyclones included Tropical Cyclone Honde near Mozambique, Garance near Madagascar, Hurricane Bianca situated to the west of Australia, Hurricane Alfred northeast of Australia, and Tropical Cyclones Seru and Rae north of New Zealand. Meteorological experts attribute the simultaneous occurrence of these storms to factors such as weak wind shear and elevated sea-surface temperatures associated with La Niña.

As of Tuesday afternoon, advisories were issued regarding the storms, with Cyclone Rae causing damage in Fiji prior to the formation of Cyclone Honde. The previous simultaneous occurrence of three tropical cyclones in the South Pacific Basin dates back to January 1999, while there has been a total of 22 tropical depressed or cyclonic events recorded in the current season, significantly exceeding historical averages since February 12.

Cycloniс activity near Madagascar was noteworthy, where Cyclone Honde is expected to impact the region with heavy rains and winds. AccuWeather’s Lead International Expert, Jason Nicholls, forecasted potential rainfall of up to 48 inches and wind gusts reaching 100 mph along the southern coast. Similarly, Cyclone Garance is anticipated to approach Reunion Island, posing the potential for heavy rain and winds exceeding 150 mph, resulting in risks of damage and coastal flooding.

Finally, Hurricane Alfred, originating in the Coral Sea, continues to intensify while moving south, with projections indicating that it may potentially affect southeastern Queensland and northeastern New South Wales through its outer bands. As meteorological conditions develop, updates will be issued to monitor this active tropical season in the Southern Hemisphere.

In conclusion, the Southern Hemisphere is currently witnessing an exceptional occurrence of six tropical cyclones simultaneously, a rare event not seen since 1989. This unusual situation is facilitated by specific meteorological conditions including La Niña. The cyclones pose significant threats to the regions they affect, prompting monitoring and advisories to ensure public safety. As the tropical season progresses, further developments are anticipated.

Original Source: www.accuweather.com