Meteorological Marvel: Six Cyclones Active Simultaneously in Southern Hemisphere
On Tuesday, six tropical cyclones were active at once in the southern hemisphere—three in the south-west Pacific. Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred intensified to category 4, while Cyclones Rae and Seru reached category 2 after causing damage in Fiji. Severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca remained offshore, and two cyclones, Garance and Honde, affected Madagascar. This event signifies unusual but notable cyclone activity.
On Tuesday, an extraordinary meteorological phenomenon occurred as six named tropical cyclones were simultaneously active in the southern hemisphere. This event notably involved three cyclones in the south-west Pacific, with Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred being the most significant. Formed in the Coral Sea on February 20, Alfred intensified to a category-4 hurricane, achieving sustained winds of 105 mph and gusts reaching 140 mph as it moved parallel to the Queensland coast.
While Alfred is unlikely to make landfall, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology is closely observing its path due to uncertainties about its proximity to the coast. In addition to Alfred, two shorter-lived cyclones, Rae and Seru, reached category-2 intensity, with Rae causing considerable damage in Fiji due to heavy rainfall and strong gusts up to 100 mph.
In the Timor Sea, Severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca was active between February 18 and 27, traveling westward before curving south without making landfall. This cyclone peaked at a category-3 hurricane intensity, demonstrating the dynamic activity within the region. In the south-west Indian Ocean, two more cyclones, both formed on a recent Monday, bracketed Madagascar, creating additional concerns.
Intense Tropical Cyclone Garance, equivalent to category 3, formed northeast of Madagascar, threatening Réunion with gusts of 120 mph and possible rainfall accumulation exceeding 600 mm. Meanwhile, a category 1 tropical storm, Honde, developed in the Mozambique Channel and moved southeast, skirting Madagascar’s southern tip. Though having multiple named storms occurring simultaneously is unusual, it is not entirely uncommon.
In conclusion, the simultaneous occurrence of six tropical cyclones in the southern hemisphere represents a rare meteorological event, highlighting significant cyclone activity across the region. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology continues to monitor these systems, particularly Cyclone Alfred and Cyclone Garance, as each poses its own threats to surrounding regions. The occurrence of such phenomena serves as a reminder of the intricate dynamics of weather systems within the southern hemisphere.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
