Rare Tropical Cyclone Activity Observed in February 2025

In February 2025, both the South Pacific and Indian Ocean faced a rare occurrence of multiple active tropical cyclones, with significant threats posed to various regions including Fiji and Mauritius. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology anticipates an above-average cyclone season due to warm sea temperatures. The satellite imagery captured multiple cyclones, providing insight into their development and impact.

In late February 2025, both the South Pacific and Indian Ocean experienced an unusual clustering of tropical cyclones, with three active storms in the former and another trio in the latter. A false-color image from the NOAA-20 satellite, captured on February 26, illustrates five tropical cyclones, identifying cooler cloud structures through infrared signals. On February 25, a sixth storm, Tropical Cyclone Rae, weakened after impacting Fiji with heavy rainfall.

Cyclones Alfred and Seru were also present in the South Pacific alongside Rae, with Seru briefly achieving Category 1 strength while located offshore from Australia. Although Cyclone Alfred was predicted to remain offshore, its activity was anticipated to create hazardous conditions for southern Queensland. On the date of the image, Alfred was a Category 2 storm, destined to escalate to Category 4 the following day.

To the west, Tropical Cyclone Bianca had diminished to tropical storm status on February 26, after previously intensifying to Category 3. This storm’s trajectory kept it far from mainland Australia, sparing the region from severe impacts. Meanwhile, in the Indian Ocean, Cyclones Honde and Garance posed significant threats; Garance prompted Mauritius to close its airport as it approached with anticipated strength increases.

Meteorologists attributed the unusual frequency of these storms to warm sea surface temperatures and low wind shear in the region. Since September 2024, a marine heat wave along the coast of Western Australia has contributed to anomalously warm temperatures, particularly significant in February 2025. This season, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology has forecast an elevated likelihood of severe tropical cyclones due to the anticipated warm oceanic conditions, characteristic of the Southern Hemisphere’s cyclone season from November through April.

The late February 2025 tropical cyclone activity in both the South Pacific and the Indian Ocean marked an unusual meteorological event with six storms reported concurrently. Cyclones Alfred, Seru, and Bianca posed unique challenges while Honde and Garance in the Indian Ocean heightened concerns for Mauritius. Contributing factors included warm ocean temperatures and low wind shear, which forecasted an active cyclone season within the Southern Hemisphere.

Original Source: earthobservatory.nasa.gov