On February 25, 2025, six tropical storms emerged in the Southern Hemisphere, with three in the South Pacific and three in the Indian Ocean, tying a record last set in 1989. Tropical Cyclone Honde and Garance are among those impacting areas like Mozambique and Madagascar, with notable forecasts for Reunion Island. Hurricane Alfred is tracking near Australia and could influence the weather on the eastern coast next week.
On Tuesday, a remarkable occurrence unfolded in the Southern Hemisphere, with six simultaneous tropical storms, commonly referred to as cyclones. Three tropical cyclones were observed in the South Pacific Ocean, equaling the record for concurrent storms, while an additional three cyclones were located in the southern Indian Ocean. This was the first time since 1989 that such a situation took place.
The current tropical season in the Southern Hemisphere spans from November to April. Among the cyclones were Tropical Cyclone Honde off Mozambique, Cyclone Garance near Madagascar, Hurricane Bianca west of Australia, Hurricane Alfred northeast of Australia, and Cyclones Seru and Rae north of New Zealand. The abundance of storms is attributed to weak wind shear and elevated sea-surface temperatures, factors linked to La Nina.
Cyclone Rae, which previously caused damage in Fiji, had its last advisory issued at 4 p.m. EST on Tuesday, coinciding with the formation of Cyclone Honde. According to AccuWeather Lead International Expert Jason Nicholls, utilizing services of these experts greatly aids in understanding these phenomena. Historically, the last time three tropical cyclones were simultaneously noted in the South Pacific basin was in January 1999.
This season has witnessed a total of 22 tropical depressions and cyclones, with the Accumulated Cyclone Energy measured at 166.3, significantly surpassing the historical average by 130 percent as of Wednesday. Cyclones Honde and Garance are currently active near Madagascar, with Honde moving southeast and expected to impact southern Madagascar with heavy rain and high winds.
Cyclone Garance is also forecasting to affect Reunion Island as a hurricane, an event that has not occurred since Cyclone Firinga in 1989. Expected impacts include substantial rainfall and potential wind gusts reaching 150 mph, which may lead to considerable damage, coastal flooding, and high sea conditions around the island.
Hurricane Alfred, having developed on February 24 in the Coral Sea, continues to strengthen while moving southward. Although it is anticipated to remain east of Australia, its outer bands could still deliver rain to regions such as southeast Queensland and northeast New South Wales early next week. Such meteorological updates are crucial for ensuring public safety and preparedness in affected areas.
The Southern Hemisphere recently experienced a rare meteorological phenomenon with six simultaneous tropical storms, tying a historical record last seen over three decades ago. The combination of favorable conditions has led to an active tropical season, with expert analysis providing insights into the potential impacts of these storms. Continuous monitoring is essential to ensure safety as these cyclones progress and potentially affect coastal regions significantly.
Original Source: www.accuweather.com
