Increased Cyclone Activity in the Southern Hemisphere: February 2025 Overview

February 2025 saw an unusual occurrence of multiple tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere’s South Pacific and Indian Ocean. Notable storms included Cyclones Alfred, Seru, Rae, Bianca, Honde, and Garance, with concerns for land due to hazardous conditions. Warm ocean temperatures contributed to the cyclone activity, prompting predictions of high storm severity during the season.

In late February 2025, both the South Pacific and Indian Ocean regions experienced an unusual density of tropical cyclones. Three storms were simultaneously active in the South Pacific, while another trio disturbed the adjacent Indian Ocean. A false-color image from the VIIRS sensor on the NOAA-20 satellite captured the presence of five tropical cyclones on February 26, using brightness temperature indicators to reveal cloud structures and underlying surface temperatures.

The late February 2025 cyclone events in the Southern Hemisphere demonstrated a remarkable surge in tropical cyclone activity attributed to warm sea conditions. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology anticipates more severe cyclones this season due to elevated ocean temperatures, marking a crucial period for meteorological observation and public safety preparedness in affected regions.

Original Source: earthobservatory.nasa.gov