Daily London
Australia’s cyclone season has officially begun, with experts warning that signs are showing there is an increased risk of cyclones over the summer months.
The upcoming cyclone season, between November 1 and April 30, could be unusually severe due to warmer sea surface temperatures in the northern parts of the country.
“All tropical cyclones need sea surface temperatures at or above 26.5 degrees to form,” Weatherzone’s Ben Domensino said.
“Once over this threshold, the rate at which tropical cyclones can intensify generally increases with higher ocean temperatures.”
Domensino warns temperatures in some areas are already above 27 degrees, with some temperatures of 31 degrees in the top end of Australia in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
“These temperatures are about one to three degrees above average and rank in the top 10 per cent of historical records for this time of year,” Domensino said.
As a result of the higher water temperatures, there is a higher possibility of more severe cyclones in the upcoming season.
This could pose a risk to millions of Australians living in tropical coastal areas in multiple states and territories.
Tropical cyclones that form in the Australian region in the coming months will have a higher-than-normal potential to strengthen into severe tropical cyclones, thanks to the abnormally warm oceans surrounding northern Australia.
There were 12 cyclones in the last season, the highest number in 18 years.
This included Cyclone Alfred, which struck Queensland and New South Wales in March and was the fourth costliest cyclone in Australia, causing nearly $2 billion in damage.
