Satellite Captures Three Cyclones Spinning in the South Pacific

Unusual Storm Activity Detected
A rare weather phenomenon has unfolded in the South Pacific, where satellite images captured three tropical cyclones—Rae, Seru, and Alfred—spinning simultaneously. This unusual event comes as the region enters the peak of its cyclone season.

Tracking the Storms
The three cyclones formed within five days in a vast stretch of ocean extending from the eastern coast of Australia to nearly 8,000 kilometers into the Pacific.

• Cyclone Alfred, which developed on Monday, rapidly intensified into a category three storm, with wind gusts reaching 185 km/h in the Coral Sea. Residents of Queensland, Australia, are closely monitoring its path, uncertain if it will make landfall.
• Cyclone Rae, which formed north of Fiji last Friday, has already brought strong winds and heavy rain, damaging crops and infrastructure.
• Cyclone Seru became a tropical storm on Tuesday and is forecast to pass near Vanuatu but remain offshore.

Climate Change and Unpredictable Weather Patterns
While not unprecedented, the simultaneous formation of three cyclones is an uncommon occurrence in the region. The last time this happened was in January 2021, when storms Lucas, Ana, and Bina developed at the same time.

The rise in ocean temperatures due to climate change has been fueling stronger and more destructive storms. While global warming does not necessarily increase the number of storms, it has been linked to an increase in higher-category storms, which cause more devastation. Some studies also suggest that storms are moving more slowly over land, leading to prolonged destruction.

Interestingly, the current La Niña phase typically cools ocean temperatures and suppresses cyclone activity. However, scientists believe a phenomenon called the Madden–Julian Oscillation—a shifting atmospheric pattern that enhances storm formation—may have contributed to the unexpected burst of cyclone activity in the South Pacific.

Princeton University climate scientist Gabriel Vecchi cautioned that weather systems remain unpredictable. “The atmosphere is chaotic,” he explained, adding that unforeseen factors may have contributed to the simultaneous formation of the three cyclones.

With the cyclone season in full swing, meteorologists continue to monitor these storms, as well as any potential new developments in the region.