Simultaneous Cyclones in Southern Hemisphere: A Rare Meteorological Event
On Tuesday, six tropical cyclones were active simultaneously in the southern hemisphere, notably in the south-west Pacific. Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which reached category-4 intensity, is tracking near Queensland. Other cyclones include Rae, Seru, Bianca, Garance, and Honde, with varying intensities and impacts. Such simultaneous occurrences, though rare, have historical precedence.
An extraordinary meteorological phenomenon occurred as six tropical cyclones were simultaneously active in the southern hemisphere. Among them, three formed in the south-west Pacific, including Severe Tropical Cyclone Alfred, which originated in the Coral Sea on February 20. Alfred attained an intensity comparable to a category-4 hurricane with sustained winds reaching 105 mph and gusts nearing 140 mph, tracking towards the Queensland coast but not expected to make landfall.
To the east, Tropical Cyclones Rae and Seru emerged, both of which reached a category-2 hurricane intensity. Cyclone Rae developed north of Fiji on February 22, causing substantial damage due to flooding and powerful gusts. Cyclone Seru formed on February 24 over the Solomon Islands, moving south and passing east of Vanuatu without making landfall.
Severe Tropical Cyclone Bianca, active between February 18 and 27 in the Timor Sea, achieved a category-3 hurricane intensity but did not impact land as it navigated around Australia. Concurrently, in the south-west Indian Ocean, two cyclones, Intense Tropical Cyclone Garance and Severe Tropical Storm Honde, appeared. Garance formed to the north-east of Madagascar and is expected to impact Réunion, while Honde moved south-east near Madagascar’s tip.
Although six simultaneous named storms are infrequent, they are not unheard of in the southern hemisphere. The Pacific has recorded six simultaneous storms once, in August 1974, while the Atlantic’s record stands at five, established in September 1971.
In summary, the occurrence of six simultaneous tropical cyclones in the southern hemisphere presents a rare yet remarkable aspect of meteorological phenomena. The active cyclones, particularly Cyclone Alfred and Garance, underscore the unpredictability and intensity of storm systems in this region. While such events are uncommon, they highlight the significant impact of tropical cyclones on diverse areas, emphasizing the importance of continued monitoring and preparedness.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
