Six Tropical Storms Simultaneously Active in the Southern Hemisphere

On February 25, 2025, six tropical cyclones were observed simultaneously in the Southern Hemisphere, tying a record from 1989. The storms affected various regions, with Cyclone Honde impacting Mozambique and Cyclone Garance nearing Madagascar. This season has recorded 22 tropical cyclones so far, and meteorological conditions attributed to La Niña have contributed to the storm activity. Heavy rain and strong winds are expected in affected areas, requiring vigilance from officials and residents.

On February 25, 2025, a rare meteorological phenomenon was observed in the Southern Hemisphere as six tropical storms, known as cyclones, simultaneously occurred across the southern Indian and Pacific Oceans. This event matched a previous record set in 1989. The ongoing tropical season in this region spans from November through April, and so far this season has seen a total of 22 tropical depressions and cyclones.

Among the prominent storms, Tropical Cyclone Honde was located off the coast of Mozambique, while Cyclone Garance swirled near Madagascar. Additionally, Hurricane Bianca and Hurricane Alfred were positioned to the west and northeast of Australia, respectively, and Tropical Cyclones Seru and Rae were found north of New Zealand. Meteorological data suggests that warm sea-surface temperatures and weak wind shear, notably influenced by the La Niña phenomenon, facilitated the abundance of these storms.

As the storms continued to develop on Tuesday, the last advisories for Cyclone Rae were issued shortly before the formation of Cyclone Honde. Cyclone Rae had impacted Fiji a day prior, causing some damage. Notably, the last occurrence of three tropical cyclones in the South Pacific basin simultaneously was in January 1999 during the overlapping of Dani, Olinda, and Pete.

Cyclone Honde is anticipated to affect southern Madagascar with heavy rainfall and strong winds, including potential wind gusts of up to 100 mph along its coast. AccuWeather’s Lead International Expert, Jason Nicholls, indicated that the region could experience between 12 to 24 inches of rainfall, with local amounts potentially reaching up to 48 inches.

Cyclone Garance is projected to impact Reunion Island with hurricane-force winds, marking a significant meteorological event as the island has not seen a hurricane since Cyclone Firinga in 1989. It is expected that Reunion will receive heavy rainfall and strong winds, with gusts potentially reaching 150 mph, leading to coastal flooding and hazardous sea conditions.

Hurricane Alfred, which formed on February 24 in the Coral Sea, is intensifying as it advances southward but is likely to remain east of Australia. Its outer bands may, however, bring rain to southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales early next week, as stated by Jason Nicholls of AccuWeather.

In summary, six tropical storms are currently active in the Southern Hemisphere, marking an extraordinary occurrence not seen since 1989. The presence of these cyclones is attributed to favorable environmental conditions caused by La Niña. The potential for significant rainfall and damaging winds poses risks to nearby regions, particularly Madagascar and Reunion Island, highlighting the importance of continued monitoring and public awareness during this tropical season.

Original Source: www.accuweather.com