Current Tropical Storm Landscape: Active Season in Indian and Pacific Oceans
The tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans are experiencing significant storm activity, with Hurricane Kristy to the west of Mexico, Tropical Storm Trami impacting the Philippines, and Cyclone Dana making landfall in northeastern India. Meanwhile, the tropical Atlantic is experiencing a quiet phase with no active cyclones. Severe weather warnings are also in place for southern France and northwestern Italy due to anticipated heavy rainfall.
The current tropical storm season is notably active in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans. As Hurricane Kristy moves west of Mexico, the Pacific is witnessing the presence of Tropical Storm Trami and Tropical Storm Kong-Rey, while Cyclone Dana has recently made landfall in northeastern India. In sharp contrast, the tropical Atlantic region is experiencing a period of calm, with no cyclonic activity forecasted in the near future. Hurricane Kristy emerged from the remnants of Tropical Storm Nadine, which impacted Mexico late last week. It escalated to a category 4 hurricane on Wednesday, advancing westward across the eastern tropical Pacific. Forecasts indicate that Kristy will veer northward without making landfall, gradually dissipating in less warm waters. Tropical Storm Trami, known locally as Kristine, landed in the northern Philippines on Thursday, where it has unleashed winds reaching nearly 100 mph (160 km/h) along with torrential rainfall. Reports indicate that some weather stations recorded over 300 mm (12 inches) of rain in a mere 24-hour period, instigating severe flooding and landslides. Consequently, over 100,000 individuals have been evacuated, with 24 reported fatalities to date. Conditions are anticipated to improve over the weekend as Trami progresses towards Vietnam; however, the Philippines remains on high alert for Tropical Storm Kong-Rey, which has formed near Guam and is projected to move westward, potentially impacting the same regions affected by Trami. Cyclone Dana made landfall in northeastern India on Thursday night, having originated in the Bay of Bengal on Tuesday and strengthened into a severe cyclonic storm by Thursday. Approximately 1.5 million residents in the states of Odisha and West Bengal were evacuated in anticipation of severe rainfall and winds exceeding 70 mph. Additionally, outside the tropics, heavy rainfall warnings have been issued for southern France and northwestern Italy for the upcoming weekend. This precipitation is attributed to a stationary area of low pressure near the France-Spain border, which is facilitating a warm, moist air flow from the Mediterranean Sea. Some regions are projected to receive more than 100 mm of rain, with the heaviest accumulations expected in the Côte d’Azur, the Liguria state in Italy, and the western Italian Alps.
Tropical storm activity varies significantly across the world’s oceans, with certain regions experiencing heightened levels due to climatic conditions. The Indian and Pacific Oceans are particularly known for their storms during specific seasons, such as hurricanes and cyclones. Understanding the formation and movement of these storms is crucial for predicting their potential impacts on coastal communities and mitigating associated risks.
In summary, the tropical storm season is currently active, particularly in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with notable storms such as Hurricane Kristy and Cyclone Dana causing significant impacts in their respective regions. In contrast, the tropical Atlantic remains tranquil. Preparedness measures, including evacuations and weather monitoring, are critical in response to the severe weather patterns emerging from these storms, highlighting the importance of ongoing vigilance in disaster management during this season.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
