Slow start to tropical storm season could mean more ahead [1]
Thursday, December 28, 2017 - 15:19. Updated on Thursday, December 28, 2017 - 15:26.
For the first time in 60 years, only one tropical storm has struck the Southern Hemisphere so far this year in Indonesia in late November, compared to an average of at least five storms by Christmas Day.
But countries need to remain alert and well-prepared for severe storms as around eight to 10 tropical cyclones are expected to hit the southwest Pacific this season, according to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) in New Zealand.
Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia may be hit by at least four cyclones before April with two expected to reach Category 3 and the other two possibly reaching Category 4.
NIWA meteorologist, Ben Noll, told the New Zealand Herald that the sea temperature is warmer than usual.
"As we go into the new year we have to keep watch. The warm seas are fuel for powerful weather systems," he said.
NIWA warns similar weather patterns in the past have produced Category 5-strength cyclones with average wind speeds of 196 km/h or greater.
Countries in the region should take heed of tropical cyclone alerts and warnings seriously.