Increased Tropical Cyclone Activity in February 2025 Across Southern Oceans

In late February 2025, six tropical cyclones were active across the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, captured in a satellite image on February 26. Noteworthy storms included Tropical Cyclones Alfred, Seru, Bianca, Honde, and Garance. Meteorologists attributed the cyclone prevalence to warm sea temperatures and anticipated a heightened cyclone season.

In late February 2025, both the South Pacific and Indian Ocean were simultaneously affected by multiple tropical cyclones. A total of six storms were marked, with five visible in a false-color satellite image taken by NOAA-20 on February 26. This image utilized infrared signals to differentiate between cooler cloud formations and warmer ocean surfaces. Noteworthy is the pre-existing Tropical Cyclone Rae, which had diminished in strength after causing significant rainfall in Fiji.

Tropical Cyclones Alfred and Seru were present in the South Pacific alongside Rae. Cyclone Seru briefly reached Category 1 status on the Saffir-Simpson scale while remaining offshore of Australia. Conversely, Cyclone Alfred was predicted to cause dangerous coastal conditions in southern Queensland, having been assessed at Category 2 strength but projected to escalate to Category 4 shortly thereafter.

Tropical Cyclone Bianca, off the coast of Western Australia, had weakened to a tropical storm on February 26, following its Category 3 peak the day prior. Its distance from the mainland ensured that Australian territories were largely unaffected by this storm’s passage. Notably, Bianca’s counterparts in the Indian Ocean, Cyclones Honde and Garance, posed more imminent threats to land.

As Cyclone Garance approached the island nation of Mauritius, the airport was closed as a precaution. Estimated to strengthen from Category 2 to Category 3 overnight, Garance was expected to produce winds of up to 190 kilometers (120 miles) per hour. Meanwhile, Cyclone Honde, classified as a Category 1 storm, was predicted to bring heavy rains and strong winds to southern Madagascar and nearby regions.

Meteorologists attributed the increased cyclone activity to warm sea surface temperatures and weak wind shear conditions, particularly noting a marine heat wave present off the coast of Western Australia since September 2024. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicted an elevated likelihood of severe tropical cyclones this season due to warmer than average ocean temperatures. The Southern Hemisphere’s tropical cyclone season typically spans from November to April.

In summary, February 2025 witnessed remarkable tropical cyclone activity in both the South Pacific and Indian Ocean, indicating an unusual weather pattern. The simultaneous presence of multiple storms, including Cyclones Alfred, Seru, Bianca, Honde, and Garance, underscores the climate’s volatility. Meteorological predictions linking elevated ocean temperatures to heightened cyclone activity suggest increased atmospheric disturbances in the region, prompting ongoing monitoring and preparedness.

Original Source: earthobservatory.nasa.gov